It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach 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.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were still positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
