While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. 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 wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
