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While it wasn't a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Decisive Stops Ensure the Win

The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to save a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. After a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.

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

Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the home side's twenty-seven.

Strong Opening for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward a little unlucky to be called for holding the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide in front of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.

Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the far post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.

Second-Half Drama

The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a ball inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and heading into the box where the keeper saved.

Next the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the goal that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop the midfielder, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the last of the match.

“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, 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 level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”