While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.
Key Saves Ensure the Victory
Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though makes for worrying statistics.
“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.
Juventus, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.
Promising Start for Away Side
The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.
Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.
Turkish Talent Impresses
Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.
Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.
Second-Half Drama
Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space opening, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.
Next the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.
It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the final of the encounter.
“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”
Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, 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 aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”
