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While it wasn't a classic encounter, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. Having been absent for some time, 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 season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.

Decisive Stops Ensure the Victory

The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality though presents worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.

The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the end. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.

Promising Start for Away Side

The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.

What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.

Guler Shines

The best moments came from the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.

Second-Half Drama

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the ball bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.

Next the usual pattern happened, the stop made good by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.

There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the area. Then in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the final of the encounter.

“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”

Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”