It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.
Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and set up Militão to blast over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his job done. 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 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 get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
