While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected wide.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. 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 halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
As for his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”