While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal 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,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought 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 in front of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for 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 hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, 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 positive spells but not the standard 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 want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
