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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his first goal of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Secure the Victory

Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition 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 saves representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.

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

The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.

Promising Start for Visitors

They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of him when the wing-back broke free on the right. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.

Next, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by the center-back.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play came from the young Turk. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his foot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where Courtois made the stop.

Then what tends to happen occurred, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid four men to release a driven effort which struck the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

It was not the only one: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.

“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team a lot.”

Regarding his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still 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 shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”