While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back 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 a goal. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
