I’ve watched Champions League nights on the sofa with my mom for as long as I can remember — the anthem, the nerves, the excitement of seeing Europe’s biggest teams play against each other. But watching from home does not prepare you for what it feels like to actually be there, in the stadium, with all the fans.
The Energy Inside the Bernabéu
This was my first ever European football match, and the energy inside the Bernabéu was something else. The constant movement, constant noise, and that electric feeling that everyone had been waiting all week for this moment and this game.
The Sound of Madrid
The match kicked off exactly at 9 PM, but in and around the stadium it had been buzzing for hours. People in the street talking, having drinks and dinner, all getting ready to watch the match. Real Madrid’s fan section, completely dressed in white, was already singing and beating dozens of drums. The massive banner they displayed was a replica of a picture of a young Lucas Vázquez when he was in the stadium. On the other side, the Juventus fans made their presence very clear — loud, whistling, and singing in Italian.
When the Champions League anthem started, every single person stood up. For a second, it didn’t matter who you supported — it was just pure anticipation.
The sound of 80,000 voices singing “Hala Madrid”.
The Game Unfolds
The game itself was intense but even. Madrid started strong, with most of the possession early on. Juventus responded with quick counterattacks and a few dangerous corners, but Courtois was solid as ever.
By the half-hour mark, both teams had tested each other, with Madrid pressing high, Juventus looking for gaps. Then, midway through the second half, Bellingham scored and the stadium erupted. The noise, the movement, the happiness. It was one of those moments that you can’t really describe, only feel.
”The noise, the movement, the happiness. It was one of those moments that you can’t really describe, only feel.”
The Final Whistle
Watching live is nothing like watching from home. There’s no commentator, the players look much smaller from up high, and trying to write and follow the game at the same time is a whole new challenge. But that’s exactly what made it such a cool experience — learning to observe, to focus, to capture the energy of the match instead of just the score.
When the final whistle blew, I didn’t stay in my seat. I wanted to see what happens next. Outside, thousands of people filled the streets. Some were heading home, others were running straight into bars still singing “Hala Madrid.”
It was loud, chaotic, and full of joy — the kind of night that stays with you. My first European football match turned out to be more than just a great game; it was the moment I realised I am studying something I am actually passionate about.
Captured before kick-off on my first Champions League press night.
