While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. 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 intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless 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 new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
