While it wasn't a match for the ages, 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, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender running and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward a little unlucky to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. First his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, 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 still positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
