🔗 Share this article

It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu 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' singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Decisive Stops Secure the Victory

The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality though presents concerning reading.

“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.

The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.

Promising Start for Away Side

They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed past the post.

What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third deflected wide; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.

Second-Half Drama

Militão dived to stop the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.

Next what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the score that follows it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which hit the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop 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 opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 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 aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. 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.”