It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though presents concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, 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 Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: 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 Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his work complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
