It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Secure the Win
Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however makes for concerning reading.
“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.
Strong Opening for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.
Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.
Little was seen of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.
Late Tension
The Brazilian dived to stop Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.
Then what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”
As for his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
