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It may not have been a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he netted his first goal of the campaign, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.

Decisive Stops Secure the Win

Courtois knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had remarked beforehand.

The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and the striker linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.

Promising Start for Away Side

The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.

Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.

Turkish Talent Impresses

The best moments came from the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and set up his teammate to fire over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his boot right through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.

Next what tends to happen occurred, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the match.

“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”

As for his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”