While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Key Saves Secure the Win
The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with the French defender running and the striker linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments came from Arda Güler. 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 did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. First his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois 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.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he added: “I didn’t think 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 underperformed last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
