It may not have been 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, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, 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.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and the striker linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, 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. Finally in the dying moments Courtois dived to deny the midfielder, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
