While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, which hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé 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 exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
