While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, 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; another chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver 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 came to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to stop the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells 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 take lessons.”
