Alonso’s Bold Quest at the Bernabéu: A Classic Madrid–Juventus Showdown as Mbappé Targets Ronaldo’s Record
21 October 2025
Hours before the highly anticipated Real Madrid vs Juventus clash in the Champions League group stage, the spotlight centers on the Santiago Bernabéu as Xabi Alonso aims to write a new chapter in his Real Madrid tenure, hoping to mirror the milestones Carlo Ancelotti has already achieved.
Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappé is chasing another historic mark, continuing Cristiano Ronaldo's scoring legacy in the competition and sitting two goals away from equaling Ronaldo’s all-time European tally.
The fixture is more than a points race; it’s a meeting of two European giants who have repeatedly lifted the trophy and shaped the continent’s footballing narrative for decades.
Madrid arrive brimming with confidence after a string of victories and a potent attacking showing that has made them the top shooters in this season’s tournament, while Juventus seek to restore their European aura after a stumble-filled start and a defense that has shown vulnerabilities at times.
Classic Madrid–Juventus clash
This will be the 22nd Champions League meeting between Real Madrid and Juventus, making it one of the competition’s most recurring duels alongside Bayern vs Real. The history behind this fixture is a reminder that drama often travels with the trophy.
The rivals last confronted each other in April 2018, in the quarterfinals, when Madrid advanced 4-3 on aggregate, aided by Ronaldo’s stoppage-time penalty at home, sealing a route to the semi-finals.
A favorable omen
In the last four Champions League encounters between these teams, Madrid captured the title three times (2013–14, 2016–17, 2017–18), with the lone exception coming in 2014–15 when Juventus knocked Madrid out in the semi-finals 3–2 on aggregate. That Juventus side reached the final, where they were edged by Barcelona 3–1—the last time Barça tasted European glory.
This adds a layer of narrative to the encounter: a reminder that history often nudges the present in unexpected directions.
European wobble and Madrid’s scoring run
Juventus are one of just three sides to fail to win in the first two group games this season, drawing both. Their away form in Europe has been unpredictable, lacking a third consecutive victory on the road in this competition since 2012. Madrid, by contrast, has been ruthlessly efficient in front of goal, having posted 18 goals in their last five Champions League group-stage matches and winning all of them.
Madrid have also boasted a remarkably strong home record in the same phase, with only a solitary defeat to Milan in 2024 marring their otherwise perfect run. Alonso’s Real Madrid have demonstrated a clinical edge, and the Bernabéu crowd will be hoping this continues against a Juventus side eager to flip the script.
Mbappé and Ronaldo’s chase
Mbappé sits atop the Champions League scoring for the 2025–26 campaign with five goals, including a brace against Marseille and a hat-trick against Kairat. The record for most goals by a player in the first three CL matches stands at seven, a benchmark shared by Filippo Inzaghi (Milan, 2002–03) and Cristiano Ronaldo (Real Madrid, 2013–14). Mbappé’s current form has him within striking distance of that elite mark.
Meanwhile, Ronaldo’s enduring legacy in Europe continues to cast a long shadow. Francisco Conceição has four goals in Europe across three different clubs as a substitute, underscoring how substitutes can still play a starring role in this competition. The narrative remains rich as the match approaches, highlighting the intertwined histories of Madrid and Juventus, each carrying legends and ambitions into the Bernabéu night.
Packed with tension, this game is not just about who takes three points home; it’s about the echoes of past triumphs and the credential that could define the next era. Will Alonso’s blueprint at Madrid yield a signature win against Juventus, or will Juventus remind the world of their European swagger? Time will tell, but one thing is certain: this is football at its most cinematic.
Punchline time: If Alonso nails this, Ancelotti might finally concede that great managers can also host a TED Talk on victory—note to self: bring a microphone and a chair that spins. Punchline two: Mbappé chasing Ronaldo’s record so hard that even Ronaldo’s statue at Madeira might need GPS to locate the net. Let the jokes fly after the final whistle—the football gods appreciate humor almost as much as a well-placed shot on target.
