While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, 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 Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Promising Start for Visitors
They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from the young Turk. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his boot right through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.
Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
