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While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's singing of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his first goal of the campaign, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.

Decisive Stops Secure the Win

Courtois knew perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however makes for worrying statistics.

“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.

The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.

Strong Opening for Visitors

They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.

Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Guler Shines

The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.

Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to Militão to blast over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the center to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker raced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the area where Courtois made the stop.

Then what tends to happen occurred, the stop made good by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to deny the midfielder, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the encounter.

“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team a lot.”

As for his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”