Juventus couldn’t put up a decent fight.
With Warness, fans of both teams were certainly expecting this match. Real Madrid’s group stage performance, for example, provided little food for thought. The Madrid giants’ backline opponents proved too weak. And here, they couldn’t go without losses: they drew with Al Khiliya (1:1), followed by confident victories over Pachuk (3:1) and Salzburg (3:0). As if these weren’t rivals too relevant for real tests.
Juventus’s early group was the same. They suffered easy defeats against Al Ain (5:0) and Vidada (4:1). And then the Turin side ran into real monsters, Manchester City (2:5), who failed to pass the test. And then there was the fear for the fans of both participants in this match. Some saw how well their team survived a meeting with a strong opponent, while others had never seen such an opponent before. Therefore, they were in the dark.
Take the Ground
It’s interesting to observe the tasks, objectives, and opportunities for this tournament for different top clubs. We’re not talking about the weak teams and the mid-level peasants who simply expect to sneak in as far as possible, grab a few sensations, and earn some extra money. But among the top teams, different groups are visible. Some came to serve the number, without realizing what they’d forgotten here (for example, Atletico). Others arrived in a rebuilt state to win a trophy (for example, PSG). And this meeting between Real Madrid and Juventus showed how literally ideas and options are born. More precisely, this only happened in one of the teams. The Turiners were limited in their capabilities. On the one hand, they presented some ideas from Igor Tudor, on the other, the coach had to plug holes that he shouldn’t have. In this regard, Habi Alonso’s variability proved to be higher. Although both teams were somewhat muted and simplified their play early on, Juventus relied on compact defense and counterattacks. The defensive density as a whole was maintained. Real Madrid’s high-speed attacks were not seen, and any acceleration from Vinisius was quickly stopped.In such conditions, they looked persistent, but rather monotonous attempts by Real Madrid to overload the flank with Trent Alexander Arnold, playing there, Judah Bellingham and Ardu Guller there. The latter, by the way, with Alonso refreshed and became more diversified. Their Spanish specialist tried to use here in the role of a game that opened the Turk from an interesting side. It seems that in this idea there is potential and meaning. But it looks damp at the moment. Like the entire first half played by both teams. Moreover, Real Madrid possessed the ball more, often shot on goal, and had two very good half-courts. But the XG, according to the results of the half, was still in favor of Juventus. All this thanks to the only counterattack and almost slaughter. In it, Randal Kolo Muani came out one-on-one with Tibo Courtois. However, the Frenchman has certain problems with such chances – he is lost. And this time, he decided to make it more complicated, threw the goalkeeper out and with him the door.
Gaining Confidence
And as if Juventus had no other options: a more compact defense in the hope of holding on to a counterattack and seizing a chance. In such conditions, the price of error is extremely high, and execution of chances must be at the highest level. Discipline, which Juventus already possessed much more than in the game against Manchester City, has consistently failed.
Of course, Real Madrid themselves contributed to this. Alonso’s passes, after a break, systematically began to increase the pace of the game. Even in standard pass-throughs, flank-to-flank passes, the ball came much livelier. And this immediately began to blur the cracks in Juventus’ defensive ranks. This combination, along with the stretching of the backline, became the perfect goal. Trent’s right-footed pass closed down Garcia García’s header beautifully. The 21-year-old Real Madrid player is making the most of his best chance of the World Cup. He already has three goals in four games and is in terrible gear. Such compressed segments early in a career can sometimes determine a player’s entire future. Garcia is still quite the bird of happiness, successfully holding on by the tail.
Based on the scoreline, one might assume that Real Madrid was lucky enough to snatch the victory. Rather, Juventus were fortunate enough not to lose much. Because after Garcia’s goal, Madrid only increased their advantage. The Turin side couldn’t find anything. But Real seemed to have found themselves again; everyone in their position recognized their teammates and felt increasingly confident. Only Michele di Gregorio’s inspired play in the back line saved Juventus from three or four missed shots. Because Real Madrid shot from various positions and are very dangerous.
As a result, they added two more to their four first-half attempts against Juventus in the second half. And Real added 13 from eight. Moreover, half of all attempts landed on target. It seems that Real and Habi Alonso have the biggest advantage so far, this training camp called the Club World Cup. They are growing before our eyes.
REAL – Juventus
REAL – Juventus
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