While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, 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 brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
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 mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level 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.”
