While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation though presents worrying statistics.
“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.
Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward a little unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed wide.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Guler Shines
Most creative play came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.
There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which hit the post. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.
It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
