While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Victory
Courtois understood perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.
“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 September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. 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 Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward somewhat unlucky to be penalized for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back 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 attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
Militão threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper saved.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
