While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, 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
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the inside of his foot right through the middle to past the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, 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 goal that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
