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CHAMPIONS’ STATEMENT: REAL MADRID OUTCLASS JUVENTUS IN TIGHT THRILLER

A Jude Bellingham tap-in was enough for Real Madrid to hand Juventus their first Champions League loss. Despite chances for both sides, a resilient Madrid defense and key saves from Courtois secured the narrow victory.

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Jude Bellingham of Real Madrid battles for possession with Khephren Thuram of Juventus - (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Only a tap-in from Jude Bellingham gave Real Madrid the lead, as Juventus suffered their first Champions League loss of the year.

After five straight draws and a 2-0 loss to Como in all competitions, the Bianconeri were in serious trouble, and there were rumours that Igor Tudor might be fired. He went back to a three-man defence, with Kenan Yildiz wearing the captain's armband and Weston McKennie supporting midfield, despite missing Gleison Bremer, Edon Zhegrova, and Juan Cabal. In addition to suspended Dani Carvajal and Ferland Mendy, who were only available for the bench, the hosts were without Trent Alexander-Arnold, Dani Ceballos, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and former Juventus defender Dean Huijsen.

Some panicky Marco Asencio defended after Pierre Kalulu's roll across, and Thibaut Courtois palmed a McKennie snapshot around the post before smothering the Federico Gatti daisy-cutter.

Real Madrid did not pose a danger until 16 minutes in, when Aurelien Tchaouameni headed directly at Michele Di Gregorio. The goalie then had to make a more difficult save on an angled drive from Brahim Diaz. Tchouameni's attempt on the ensuing corner was deflected wide.

Di Gregorio sprinted off his line and used his face to deny Kylian Mbappé at the near post on a Brahim Diaz assist, even though Diaz could have done better with a header at the back post.

After Mbappé dribbled past two to pull back, Eder Militao blasted over from the edge of the box. However, following the restart, he flung himself in the way of Kalulu's effort following an error by Alvaro Carreras.

When one-on-one, Courtois had to make a very tough save with his body as Vlahovic ran onto a long ball and held off Eder Militao.

When Vinicius twisted and turned in a crowd to get the angled drive away, Real Madrid did break the tie. His strike rebounded off the base of the far post, and Bellingham was the first to respond from six yards out on the rebound.

A Gatti goal-line clearing saved Di Gregorio after he had to make a spectacular double stop on Mbappé and the Brahim Diaz follow-up. A few moments later, the former Milan player beat him.

Although Juventus could have equalised when Jonathan David set off a through ball for Lois Openda, who took an extra touch, allowing the desperate Raul Asencio to block, Francisco Conceicao was the expected hero with a decisive tackle as Vinicius was moving clear.

Courtois was also put to the test by Filip Kostic well into stoppages, but Juventus lost.

A few minutes later, Brahim Diaz caught Khephren Thuram on the ankle with a powerful tackle, risking more than simply a yellow card.

GUARDIOLA TIPS HAT TO DYCHE: ‘HE’S AMONG THE VERY BEST’

Pep Guardiola hails new Forest boss Sean Dyche as "the best" at set-pieces, noting the trend isn't new. He also revealed that Man City has struggled with dead-ball situations this season compared to rivals like Arsenal.

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Pep Guardiola shaking hands with Sean Dyche - COURTESY/PHOTO

According to Pep Guardiola, Nottingham Forest has one of the best representatives of the new fascination in football at their disposal.

Although Mikel Arteta, Arsenal, and their ability to score goals from set pieces are admired by the football community, Guardiola has reminded everyone that the idea is not particularly new.

As demonstrated during his tenure as Burnley's manager from 2012 to 2012, he did, in fact, hail incoming Forest manager Sean Dyche as "one of the greatest."

The 54-year-old guided the Clarets into the Premier League and kept them there for six seasons before exiting Turf Moor.

Forest, who have only won one league game so far and are now in third place, can now access that knowledge.

Man City boss Guardiola said, “It’s true that people utilise every throw-in like a corner and put 10 players there in the box.

"Every move (Michael) Kayode made in the box caused us to suffer when we played at Brentford or watched Brentford play Liverpool in our hotel. Additionally, Kayode was the match's man.

“Today, set pieces are a menace. I recall being in Burnley a long time ago with Sean Dyche. Burnley posed a serious threat in the second and long balls.

"Dyche is by far the finest at these kinds of things. He has already done it; therefore, it is not fresh.

Or Sam Allardyce. Or I recall Stoke City when I was not here. Do you recall the throws made by Stoke City?

Maybe Stoke was the anomaly back then, but more and more teams are doing that now.

"I recall that Arsene Wenger mentioned playing at Stoke City while I was at Barcelona and Bayern Munich, but these days it happens frequently.

It may have happened (only) at Burnley or not at all when I got there, but it is a fact now. You must also pay attention. I still want to play, though.

This season, Arsenal has already scored nine league goals from set pieces, five from open play, and two from penalties.

With eight (plus eight from open play and one penalty), Chelsea is not far behind.

On the other end of the scale, though, are Forest and Man City. While City has scored 12 goals from open play, three more on the counterattack, and two own goals, they have yet to score from a set piece. The Reds have scored two of their five goals from restarts.

"Every manager does what they think," Guardiola stated. I am not ignorant of the fact that I want to score from corners and free kicks. I desire it. However, I dedicate my time to what we need to do to improve our play, attack, and generate opportunities. to score goals.

I pay attention, of course, but I am aware that I am not the manager to try to; I have done that my entire career. When things became rough at Burnley, I recall that we gave up maybe one corner, if any, as the second balls were under our control. That is the most effective method of defending these games.

However, you need to be strong in many areas for that, and we are working on it. I will keep working mostly on our game till the very end. And occasionally, as necessary, adjust.

At Brentford, we performed quite well. James, the French set-piece coach, did a fantastic job of enticing our guys into defending these kinds of acts. The same was true at Arsenal: it was amazing. We did not control the game against Arsenal; therefore, we gave up a lot of corners.

NAPOLI TAKE THREE-POINT LEAD AFTER CLOSE WIN AGAINST LECCE

Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa's header secured a 1-0 win for Napoli over Lecce, moving them top of Serie A. The victory was sealed after Vanja Milinkovic-Savic saved a Francesco Camarda penalty.

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Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa celebrates scoring - Photo Credit: Getty Images

Andre Frank Zambo Anguissa scored another goal to give Napoli a narrow victory over Lecce, although Vanja Milinkovic-Savic also saved a penalty kick from Francesco Camarda.

The thrilling 3-1 victory against Inter put the Partenopei back atop the league, but it came at a price: Kevin De Bruyne will miss several months of action due to a significant thigh strain. Rasmus Hojlund and Amir Rrahmani returned to the bench, but Stanislav Lobotka, Alex Meret, and Romelu Lukaku remained on the treatment table. Leonardo Spinazzola and Scott McTominay were rested, and the 4-3-3 formation was reinstated. Following the 3-2 loss to Udinese, Lecce was without Gaby Jean, Filip Marchwinski, Matias Perez, and Riccardo Sottil.

Billy Gilmour's attempt was deflected wide as Napoli wore their special edition Halloween uniform, but Lorenzo Lucca unintentionally charged down a Matteo Politano strike that was on target.

On the Matias Olivera pull-back, Politano turned over from six yards out, while Medon Berisha also threatened by drilling wide from the area's edge.

Olivera had been put clear by a clever Gilmour first-touch lay-off, but Wladimiro Falcone made a fantastic stop with his legs at the near post.

On the cusp of halftime, Francesco Camarda's chest and half-volley was inches wide, yet it would not have been considered handball.

Moments after the restart, Noa Lang added to the growing list of Napoli players out after hobbling off with a hit to the thigh just above the left knee.

Lucca sprinted onto a long ball that Falcone hurried out to nod clear, and Politano's follow-up was charged down with the goalie off his line, creating a double chance to open the score.

After a VAR review, the Lecce penalty was given because Kialonda Gaspar's header on a corner seemed to hit Juan Jesus' hand, which bent back on impact. Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, who has saved five of the past nine Serie A penalties faced, demonstrated his expertise by parrying the spot-kick when Camarda stepped up.

Hojlund made his comeback from injury, with McTominay and Leonardo Spinazzola reinforcing the team off the bench for the final half-hour.

It paid off, as a free kick from David Neres was glanced into the far top corner off the head of Anguissa from six yards out, giving Napoli the lead.

Nikola Stulic was too slow to capitalise on a Danilo Veiga pull-back, Elmas shot wide, and Hojlund missed the Neres assist in stoppages.

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