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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 found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Secure the Win

The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to save a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, 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 twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had remarked in advance.

The Turin-based club, which hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu surging forward and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the hosts' 27.

Promising Start for Visitors

They had started well, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of him when Kalulu broke free on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was deflected wide.

Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were off target, a third one took a deflection; another chance with the head was wasted by Militão.

Guler Shines

The best moments were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football 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.

Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.

Second-Half Drama

Militão threw himself to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the middle to past the center circle. Racing after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.

Then what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.

It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the match.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that moment, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. 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 helps the team greatly.”

Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, 14 assists, but I know the perception was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were nonetheless positive spells but not the standard I want to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”