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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his role, he scored his opening strike of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.

Key Saves Secure the Win

Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.

The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.

Promising Start for Away Side

They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.

Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.

Guler Shines

Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce eight saves. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to Militão to blast over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.

Next the usual pattern happened, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley blocked by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block 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 the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.

“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

As for his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still 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 intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”