It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when Kalulu broke free on the right. Then soon after, the American midfielder's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save compensated for by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
