Three things you might have missed from Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus | OneFootball

Real Madrid claimed their third consecutive win in the UEFA Champions League group stage, defeating Juventus 1-0 thanks to a decisive strike from Jude Bellingham. 

Despite the victory, coach Xabi Alonso knows that his work is far from complete, even as his team edges closer to consistency since his arrival.

Alonso has achieved nearly a full house in results, yet he believes the team is still not the finished product he promised. 

His mission is to end the indolence that lingered during the final stages under Carlo Ancelotti. 

Heading into El Clasico, he faces a situation similar to his previous visit to the Metropolitano, where expectations were high but results left much to be desired. 

For Alonso, a win is always welcome, but he is conscious that Real Madrid has yet to deliver a truly convincing performance.

Even so, a victory counts, and there were several key moments from the Juventus match that stood out and may have gone unnoticed.

Arda Guler’s surprise

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Juventus controlled much of the midfield, highlighting an area that remains Alonso’s primary challenge. 

The manager has improved the squad’s overall performance, yet he is still searching for a match that confirms his methods are working fully. 

The spotlight, however, shone on Arda Guler. In a post-match press conference, Alonso praised the Turkish midfielder for his creativity and ambition: 

“Arda really enjoys playing football. He wants to take free kicks, he wants to be very involved in the game, and last year, I had Florian Wirtz, and I have that same feeling with him. 

“He’s a great player and he’s still developing, but he’s at a very high level,” said the manager.

Guler’s performance earned him Man of the Match, and the young star appeared genuinely surprised by the recognition. 

His confidence and involvement in the game are proving to be key factors in Real Madrid’s progress under Alonso, and he is rapidly becoming a trusted figure in the squad.

Thibaut Courtois’ gesture

Thibaut Courtois once again demonstrated why he is the true leader of Real Madrid. 

The Belgian goalkeeper was pivotal during Juventus’ attacking bursts, keeping his side in control at critical moments. 

His celebration after the tight victor, which included fists raised and a lap of honour, was a message of solidarity to the Bernabeu. After the game, he went into the stands and handed his gloves to a fan.

The gesture earned him a standing ovation, something even bigger stars have not recently received. 

Courtois remains a difference-maker, particularly as Madrid prepares for El Clasico, where neither side is performing exactly as expected.

Jude Bellingham’s escape

Meanwhile, Jude Bellingham stole the spotlight with the match-winning goal. 

Although the English midfielder has yet to fully regain his peak form, he is increasingly showing the ability to drive Madrid forward, particularly in open-play situations. 

After the match, Bellingham faced an unusual challenge – escaping the stadium while fans pursued him for photos and autographs. 

Wanting to avoid the commotion, he moved quickly, highlighting how the pressures of fame follow top performers even off the pitch.

With three straight Champions League wins, Real Madrid is building momentum. Yet, Alonso knows that more decisive performances are required to prove that his team is ready for the challenges ahead. 

Several players are already making significant contributions, setting the stage for an exciting and high-stakes match against Barcelona.