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It may not have been a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.

Key Saves Ensure the Victory

Courtois knew perfectly well, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.

“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.

Juventus, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.

Promising Start for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, the forward somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for holding Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was pushed past the post.

Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one took a deflection; an additional chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Guler Shines

The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to fire over.

Late Tension

The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his boot right through the center to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois saved.

Then the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough space amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

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 risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the match.

“I'm overjoyed, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, 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, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

As for his form, he added: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling 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 aim to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”