It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out 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, the striker outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments Courtois dived to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
