While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Away Side
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when Kalulu broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, 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; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid four men to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level 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 shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
