While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, did cause 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, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play 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 yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the stop made good by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough room 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, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 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 still positive spells but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
