While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew 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 leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed wide.
What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely 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 one deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the stop made good by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still 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 different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
