It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the ground and set up Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough space 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 should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, 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 penalty box. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, 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 perform was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
