Real Madrid clinched their third win in the third game of the current Champions League season, but struggled for a long time in the 1-0 (0-0) win against Juventus Turin.
In the 26th meeting between the two traditional clubs on Wednesday evening, Jude Bellingham was the evening’s goalscorer with his goal in the 57th minute. In the premier class table, Real is tied at the top with Paris, Munich, Inter Milan and Arsenal London, but is fifth behind its opponents due to goals. Juventus, meanwhile, has flown out of the field of 24 qualifiers and is 25th. For Igor Tudor, who is also not doing well in the domestic Serie A, the air in the Northern Italians’ coaching chair is getting thinner and thinner.
Juve fleeing forward
After the 2-0 defeat in the domestic Serie A in Como, Tudor switched his team back to a three-man defense and allowed the “Old Lady” to play courageously forward from the kick-off. Captain Kenan Yildiz repeatedly led his team forward from the midfield, while at the same time the Italians’ switching game was extremely disciplined and efficient. Long-range shots from Regensburg-born Yildiz and Westen McKennie were either blocked or parried by the alert Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois.
On the right, Pierre Kalulu twice failed to have the necessary precision when passing crosses despite having four meadows in front of him, so that – bottom line – Juve did not produce a single really dangerous shot on goal.
Really patient
Real Madrid remained patient. Eder Militao and Federico Valverde defended with concentration, while at the front the attack line held on to the narrow Juve defense. However, it wasn’t until the 16th minute that the Madrilenians shot at the visitors’ goal for the first time: Aurelien Tchouameni took a corner from Arda Güler from the right side with his head, but brought the ball straight to keeper Michele di Gegorio.
But the header got the “Blancos” attacking game rolling: Kylian Mbappé (23rd), Brahim Diaz (25th) and Tchouameni again (26th) failed in their attempts to finish. But the home team’s approaches now became more and more compelling.
Juve was lucky – and Di Gregorio: First, the keeper parried a powerful shot from Mbappé from the left of the penalty area (41′), a little later the exceptional French player gave a taste of his outstanding dribbling skills: Mbappé hit several hooks against the pitiful Andrea Cambiaso on the right edge of the penalty area and played Militao, who was coming from the back area, perfectly centrally on. But the Brazilian misjudged his shot on goal and flicked the ball over the right crossbar.
Lots of speed after the break
The guests from Piedmont also started better in the second half of the game. However, here too the opportunities that arise remain unused. First, Kalulu failed to get the ball that had fallen at his feet into the Spaniards’ goal (47′).
But then Dusan Vlahovic took center stage – and was annoyed afterwards. Because against the advanced Madrilenians, the Serb started a solo in which he was able to easily shake off the experienced Militao. But at the end the Turin native was only second winner. Because his left-footed shot was a hit for goalkeeper Courtois, who had sensed the corner. And the exuberant tour turned into a boomerang.
Real increases pressure – Vini Jr. with luxury solo
But then master coach Xabi Alonso’s team continuously increased the pressure – and were rewarded. Captain Valverde failed in a shot attempt, and Bellingham also missed the opening goal with his head. But then the former Dortmund player was there – and made Real Madrid celebrate.
Because when Vini Jr. asked for a “dance” on the left side of the penalty area and still managed to finish against three Juve players, the ball crashed into the right post. Bellingham secured the situation in the manner of a center forward and was there four meters in front of the goal to get the rebound into the goal.
Juve are constricted – the second goal doesn’t want to come
After the goal, the Madrilenians pushed for the second goal. But Mbappé was denied the goal celebration that evening, as was Diaz, whose shot was cleared by Federico Gatti for his beaten goalkeeper Di Gregorio on the line.
In all of Real’s chances, Lois Openda, who came on late as a substitute for the “Vecchia Signora”, had one shot, but Tchouameni was able to clear it for a corner. Filip Kostić, who was only brought into the game in the 88th minute, was also denied by goalkeeper Courtois (90+5). In the end, Real Madrid achieved a deserved but narrow victory against courageous Italians.
Small anniversary for Alonso
The success of the “Royal” is a small anniversary for Alonso: He is only the fifth coach after Jupp Heynckes, Carlos Queiroz, José Mourinho and Carlo Ancelotti to win his first three Champions League games as coach of Real Madrid.