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 finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. After 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 closing stages; the team's reality though makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, 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 did appear it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
