Xabi Alonso’s Real Madrid kept up their perfect start to the UEFA Champions League with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Juventus at the Bernabéu, their fourth victory in the last five meetings between the sides.
Real Madrid began slowly in this clash between two European giants, and it was the struggling visitors who created the first chances. Thibaut Courtois had to make two early saves to stop efforts from Weston McKennie and Federico Gatti in the first 15 minutes. The hosts soon grew into the game, with Aurélien Tchouaméni heading straight at Michele De Gregorio before his next shot was deflected just wide. Real’s best opportunity of the half came when Arda Güler sent Kylian Mbappé through on goal, but the Juventus keeper rushed out quickly to block his attempt.
Juventus started the second half strongly too, and Courtois had to react quickly to deny Dušan Vlahović after the striker broke free on the counterattack. But it was Real who took the lead, slightly against the run of play. Vinícius Júnior dribbled past several defenders and hit the post, and the rebound fell perfectly for Jude Bellingham, who tapped into an empty net for his first goal since June.
After going ahead, Real Madrid looked more confident and began to control the game. De Gregorio made a series of fine saves to keep Juventus in it, including a brilliant double stop to deny Mbappé and Brahim Díaz. Gatti then cleared another effort off the line to prevent a second goal. Juventus had one last chance to equalise late on, but Loïs Openda hesitated too long, allowing Raúl Asencio to make a crucial block and secure the win for Madrid.
The result gives Real plenty of confidence ahead of this weekend’s El Clásico, while Juventus are in trouble, they’ve now gone seven games without a win and sit outside the qualification spots in the Champions League group stage.
