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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the crowd's rendition of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Ensure the Victory

Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.

Juventus, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.

Strong Opening for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.

What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.

Late Tension

Militão dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the center to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where the keeper made the stop.

Then what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny the midfielder, his job done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”

Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”