It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he scored his first goal of the campaign, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.
Decisive Stops Secure the Win
The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however makes for concerning reading.
“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender running and the striker combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.
Promising Start for Visitors
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu broke free on the right. Then soon after, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.
What followed, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by the center-back.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver 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 stopped 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 turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.
Second-Half Drama
The Brazilian threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois saved.
Next what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to deny Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.
“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know 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 still positive spells 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 intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”
