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, basking in the fans' singing of his anthem. After 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,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's effort was deflected wide.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, 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 the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. 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 boot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, 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 long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless 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 different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
