It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Then what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper 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, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know 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 level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”
