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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the crowd's singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” commented Thibaut Courtois.

Decisive Stops Secure the Victory

Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. 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 wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“A side from Italy in trouble is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.

The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid issues at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker linking up, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' twenty-seven.

Promising Start for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.

Next, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were headed over, a third one took a deflection; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.

Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and laid off to his teammate to fire over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.

Next what tends to happen happened, the save made good by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough space amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the post. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the risk of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the area. Then in the dying moments the Madrid keeper flew in to stop the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the match.

“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

As for his performance, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, 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 aim 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.”