Jude Belligham’s comeback thrashes Juventus. Xabi keeps up the momentum.
Real Madrid’s defense was solid throughout the 90 minutes. Juventus made a couple of chances but couldn’t bury those chances. Dean Huijsen and Valverde were extremely good not only in defensive contributions but also in forward ball carrying when needed.
This was an important win before El Clásico. The confidence was needed for the Alonso boys. Heading to the most important game of this season, Alonso and his boys have to be calm and efficient with every move.
Timeline
- 57’ GOAL! Bellingham (Real Madrid) – A brilliant dribbling by Vinicious. He dribbled past the ball through 5 players and placed it in the far corner. The ball hits the post, and Jude finishes on the rebound.
Final Score: Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus
Tactical Breakdown
Real Madrid edged out Juventus with a narrow 1-0 win at the Santiago Bernabéu in this intense Champions League clash. Under Xabi Alonso’s guidance, Madrid showed control and tactical intelligence to overcome a stubborn Juventus defense. The game was decided by Jude Bellingham’s goal early in the second half, after he capitalized on a rebound, showcasing Madrid’s patience and sharpness in key moments.
Madrid dominated possession with around 66%, controlling the midfield through smooth build-up play. Aurélien Tchouaméni often dropped deep to create a numerical advantage in defense, allowing the full-backs to push forward and stretch Juventus’s shape. The fluid midfield rotations between Valverde, Bellingham, and Tchouaméni made it difficult for Juventus to settle.
Juventus, led by Igor Tudor, pressed aggressively but struggled to keep up with Madrid’s patient passing and quick transitions. The Italians aimed to disrupt with high pressing, but it left gaps that Madrid exploited expertly. Juventus’s direct attacks through Kenan Yıldız and Francisco Conceição were well contained by Madrid’s disciplined defensive line.
Kylian Mbappé’s movement was crucial as he stretched Juventus’s backline constantly. His runs created space for teammates, especially Bellingham, who made the vital late run for the winning goal. Despite Juventus’s defensive efforts, Madrid’s tactical fluidity proved superior in breaking down their opposition.
The match was a tactical chess game—Madrid’s patience and control versus Juventus’s intensity and discipline. Madrid’s ability to adapt, stay composed under pressure, and execute their game plan precisely made the difference. Juventus showed moments of promise but couldn’t convert them into scoring opportunities.
In the end, Real Madrid’s victory highlighted their tactical maturity and experience on big nights. The win keeps Madrid’s perfect UCL record intact and sends a strong message to the rest of the competition. Juventus, meanwhile, will need to rethink its approach to cope with such well-oiled teams.
When it ended, Amorim smiled quietly. His players hugged, exhausted. Maguire raised his fist to the away fans. No chaos, no luck — just tactical clarity, heart, and belief stitched together into a perfect, historic night.
Standout Performers
- Bellingham- he was Real Madrid’s heartbeat once again, timing his run perfectly to score the winning goal. His composure in the box and ability to read Vinícius Júnior’s move showed top-level awareness. Every touch from Bellingham carried purpose, balancing Madrid’s flow between attack and control.
- Vinicious- he was electric down the left flank, constantly stretching Juventus’s defense. His dazzling run and fierce shot that hit the post directly led to Bellingham’s goal. Beyond that, he was Madrid’s creative spark, driving at defenders, winning fouls, and opening spaces for Mbappé and Bellingham to thrive.
Manager and Player Reaction
Arda Güler:
“We knew that Liverpool had weaknesses. And that’s their full backs.”
Xabi Alonso:
“We went through different phases. We improved, and we weren’t good at attack, but we adapted. We controlled the ball more and increased our pace.”
“This allowed us to create chances. I told them the match required hard work, looking for opportunities, and maintaining our balance. And that’s how the match ended.”
Jude Bellingham
“In my first season here, sometimes in the later KO stages of the UCL, we didn’t play well, and we still managed to find a way to win. Last year, that didn’t happen; when we played badly, we were punished. This is why we need to play better and score more.”
Stats
Real Madrid 1 : 0 Juventus
▪ xG: 2.73 – 0.77
▪ xThreat: 2.28 – 0.79
▪ Possession: 65.0% – 35.0%
▪ Field Tilt: 74.2% – 25.8%
▪ Def Action Height: 53.5 – 42.2Donations https://t.co/nlgfzDqYhs pic.twitter.com/UJue2yCJ7w
— markstats bot (@markstatsbot) October 22, 2025
Effects on the UEFA Champions League Table
Real Madrid looks clear ahead with another win and a clean sheet.9 points in 3 matches is fantastic on paper. Chances of qualifying in the top 8 after all the group matches of the Champions League just became more optimistic/
After Matchday 3, the table looks like this:
Conclusion
Real Madrid will head into the El Clásico with a win. Xabi Alonso will try to keep this winning form against the Catalonians. In the Champions League, with every game week, their chances of qualifying for the top 8 increase tremendously. Next gameweek in the UCL will be crucial for them as they will face Liverpool.
