🔗 Share this article

While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored 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 Secure the Win

The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though makes for concerning reading.

“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked in advance.

The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender running and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.

Promising Start for Visitors

They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.

What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Guler Shines

The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.

Late Tension

The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot directly through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.

Next the usual pattern occurred, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the match.

“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and dreaming of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”

Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless 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 want to play…. You have to learn from it.”