While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Away Side
They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker raced his marker, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first 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 big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
