It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory
Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.
The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.
Then the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Finally 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 season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a part of 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 new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
