It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to 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 put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again 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 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork 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
The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area 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 four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, 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. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to deny the midfielder, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign 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 Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to 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 debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
