It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though makes for worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
