While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and the striker combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was deflected past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments 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 yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
Militão dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the middle to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard 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 want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
