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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham finally found himself before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Ensure the Victory

The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.

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

The Turin-based club, which were without a victory since last month, posed Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid dominated possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, particularly with the French defender surging forward and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.

Promising Start for Visitors

They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when Kalulu broke free on the right flank. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.

Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. However, quickly the visitors' impetus had faded as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, though, and the three best opportunities fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one deflected wide; another chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Guler Shines

The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he did appear it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Next some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and set up Militão to blast over.

Second-Half Drama

The Brazilian threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second period, and then came the customary save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot right through the middle to beyond the center circle. Sprinting after it, ample room opening, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and heading into the area where the keeper made the stop.

Next what tends to happen happened, the stop compensated for by the goal that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid four men to unleash a driven effort which struck the upright. 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. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and the attacking midfielder.

There were more scares: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds Courtois flew in to stop Thuram, his job done. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the encounter.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was crucial and to score the winning goal benefits the team greatly.”

As for his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I understand the perception was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still positive spells but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”