Real Madrid secured a hard-fought 1-0 victory against Juventus in the Champions League, with Jude Bellingham netting the decisive goal. The match, played on Wednesday, saw Real Madrid dominate possession but struggle to break down a resilient Juventus defense for much of the game.
Bellingham's Return to Form
Bellingham's goal marked a welcome return to form for the England international, who had been sidelined with a shoulder injury. He underwent surgery after the Club World Cup to address the issue and has been working his way back to full fitness. His manager, Xabi Alonso, expressed his delight at Bellingham's performance, highlighting his attentiveness and ability to be in the right place at the right time.
Mbappé and Vinicius Partnership Struggles
Despite the win, concerns remain about the attacking partnership between Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Júnior. While both players possess immense talent, they struggled to combine effectively against Juventus, often getting in each other's way and squandering promising opportunities. Alonso adjusted tactics in the second half, focusing less on feeding the ball to Mbappé, which ultimately led to Bellingham's goal.
Looking Ahead to El Clásico
The victory sets up a mouthwatering El Clásico clash against Barcelona. Real Madrid players acknowledged the importance of the upcoming match, with one stating, "Both teams are coming into it in good form. It will be a great game, after losing several last year. It's important to win." The team will need to address their attacking cohesion and defensive lapses to secure a positive result against their arch-rivals.
Reader Reactions
Fans have mixed reactions, with some praising Alonso's decision to rest Vinicius ahead of El Clásico and others questioning Alonso's tactical approach. Concerns were raised about the team's inability to convert chances and defensive vulnerabilities, despite goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois's heroics.
- Some fans believe Xabi Alonso is not ready to coach Real Madrid.
- Others are worried about Barcelona potentially scoring many goals against Real Madrid.
- The effectiveness of certain players in defensive roles is also being questioned.