It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender running and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper saved.
Then 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 unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: 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 the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the final 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 instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know 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 still positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. 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.”
