While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he scored his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Guler Shines
The best moments came from the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, 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 did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced his marker, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed 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 take lessons.”
