Real Madrid starting XI: (4-3-3): Courtois, Valverde, Militao, Asencio (subbed for Gonzalo), Carreras, Bellingham, Tchouameni, Guler (subbed for Camavinga), Diaz (subbed for Mastantuono), Mbappé, Vinicius (subbed for Fran Garcia)
Bench: Lunin, Gonzalez, Endrick, Rodrygo, Mendy, Pitarch
Goals: Bellingham 57’
Juventus starting XI (3-5-2): Di Gregorio, Gatti, Rugani, Kelly, Kalulu, Thuram (subbed for Conceicao), Koopmeiners (subbed for Locatelli), McKennie, Cambiaso (subbed for Kostic), Yildiz (subbed for Openda), Vlahovic (subbed for David)
Bench: Perin, Fuscaldo, Zhegrova, Adzic, Miretti, Joao Mario
The Englishman’s goal arrived early in the second half, ironically just when Juventus were looking their best.
Xabi Alonso made no concessions ahead of Sunday’s Clásico against Barcelona, fielding his strongest possible lineup. All the big names were there: Mbappé, Vinícius, Bellingham, Güler and Brahim Díaz, with Tchouaméni shielding a makeshift defence hit by injuries. The centre-backs were Asencio and Militão, with Valverde and Carreras deployed as full-backs.
Igor Tudor, on the other hand, shuffled his pack, surprisingly leaving captain Locatelli on the bench and handing the armband to Yildiz. Up front was Vlahović, with McKennie and Koopmeiners in midfield alongside Thuram. Kalulu returned to his wide role, while Gatti, Rugani and Kelly formed the back three.
“There was a meeting, as happens in every club and every family,” explained director Giorgio Chiellini before the match. “Some things written were untrue. We want to continue with Tudor. We’re going through a tough time, but we want to send a message: Juve must first of all respond to itself.”
And indeed, Juventus started brightly, even surprising Real Madrid. McKennie and Gatti both threatened early on, forcing Courtois into action.
As the first half wore on, Alonso’s men began to impose themselves, but aside from a few corners and an attempt from former Milan playmaker Brahim Díaz, Juventus held firm. Late in the half, Di Gregorio produced a vital save, denying Mbappé one-on-one after a brilliant Díaz through ball.
After the break, neither side made changes. Kalulu had the first big chance following a Carreras error, only for Militão to intervene with a crucial sliding block. Soon after, Vlahović went close again, bursting forward from his own half and firing left-footed, but Courtois tipped the shot wide.
It was Juve’s best spell, with Cambiaso, Thuram and Yildiz all going close. Yet, it was Real who struck first. In the 57th minute, Vinícius dazzled down the left, shook off McKennie and hit the post; Bellingham reacted first to tap in the rebound past Kelly and Di Gregorio.
Tudor tried to spark a comeback, replacing Thuram (knocked by Díaz) with Conceição before Di Gregorio kept Juve alive with a double save from Mbappé and Díaz.
In the final 15 minutes, the coach threw on Openda and David for Yildiz and Vlahović, plus Locatelli for Koopmeiners. The Belgian forward missed the team’s best late chance before Courtois punched away Kostić’s long-range drive deep into stoppage time.
Juventus left Madrid empty-handed but with heads held high. The concern now is the table: with only two points from three matches, the Bianconeri sit outside the top 24 and will need results fast to turn their European campaign around.
ANSA
