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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the crowd's singing of his anthem. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he netted his first goal of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.

Decisive Stops Secure the Victory

The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality though presents concerning reading.

“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had remarked beforehand.

Juventus, who hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, especially with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.

Strong Opening for Away Side

The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. And soon after, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.

What followed, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. 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 Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to scoring. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.

Late Tension

The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a ball inside his own area and the ball deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.

Then what tends to happen occurred, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by Gatti. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.

There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop the midfielder, his work complete. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.

“I'm overjoyed, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To play well was important and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”

As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand 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.”