The match between the Madrid club and the Turin team lacked much excitement, except for the enthusiastic support from Lucas Vázquez. Xabi Alonso’s side have yet to deliver the promised attacking football, but they continue to pick up points. The upcoming match against Barcelona will be a real test for the coach: his position looks strong after the victory over Juventus, but a possible setback against the Catalans could change the situation.
After the recent heavy defeat in the derby, the pressure on the Madrid side has only increased. To succeed against Barcelona, they will need to make a much greater effort than they showed in the match against Juventus. A positive development was the return of Jude Bellingham, who in the second half reminded fans of his stellar debut season in Spain. His performance, along with the contributions of Arda Güler and Thibaut Courtois, proved crucial for the result.
In the first half, Bellingham struggled to adapt to Alonso’s tactical setup. The English midfielder could not find open spaces and was often crowded by teammates and opposition defenders alike. However, after the break, the coach made adjustments and moved Jude closer to the attack, allowing him to play a more creative role and score an important goal. Restoring Bellingham’s form—previously compared to Zidane—remains crucial for the Madrid side.
Thibaut Courtois once again confirmed his status as one of the world’s top goalkeepers. His confident performance, leadership qualities, and professionalism served as an example for his teammates. Despite his outstanding display against Juventus, the Santiago Bernabéu crowd did not show him the appreciation he deserved, even though it was his saves that allowed the team to maintain their advantage.
Arda Güler continues to gain importance within the Madrid squad. The Turkish midfielder not only contributes to building attacks but also actively engages in winning the ball back. In this match, he was one of the most valuable players, showing excellent work both in defense and in creating opportunities. Although he still needs experience, Güler is steadily progressing toward the level of the team’s leading midfielders.
Juventus goalkeeper Di Gregorio delivered an outstanding performance, preventing Kylian Mbappé from extending his impressive scoring streak. For the first time in eleven consecutive matches, the French striker failed to find the net, a testament to the Juventus keeper’s skill.
The Madrid club is showing impressive consistency: nine wins in nine matches. Although the team’s play hasn’t been spectacular, they are getting the results they need and looking to avoid unpleasant surprises ahead. There are still five group stage matches to go, but their position in the standings allows them to look forward to progressing to the next round without undue complications.
Xabi Alonso is not afraid to experiment with tactics. In the final minutes, he strengthened the defense by bringing on an additional defender to contain the opponent’s activity on the flank. However, this move did not fully pay off, as Juventus created a dangerous chance from that very side of the field.
