While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start 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 linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his boot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where the keeper made the stop.
Next what tends to happen happened, the stop made good by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper 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 exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the last of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”
