While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing 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.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality though presents concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, 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 nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
