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It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Secure the Victory

Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and produce another decisive stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.

Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, posed Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović linking up, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.

Strong Opening for Away Side

The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.

Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.

Guler Shines

Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, 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 did appear it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. First his shot was stopped by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up his teammate to blast over.

Second-Half Drama

The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.

Next the usual pattern occurred, the save compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by the keeper and the Uruguayan seeing his volley blocked by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

It was not the only one: as the match was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the final seconds Courtois dived to deny Thuram, his job done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the final of the encounter.

“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and dreaming of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”

Regarding his performance, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, 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 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 new manager, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”