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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar from the Madrid's home stadium was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the south end with his arms outstretched, listening to the fans' rendition of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, eventually delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.

Key Saves Secure the Win

Courtois understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the closing stages; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.

The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid issues at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus were dangerous on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.

Strong Opening for Visitors

They had started well, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.

Next, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. A quarter of an hour had passed. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.

Guler Shines

The best moments came from Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him clip 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. First his attempt was denied by the Juventus keeper, who would produce several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn the full-back repeatedly until he went down to the ground and set up his teammate to fire over.

Late Tension

The Brazilian threw himself to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere bouncing from the inside of his foot right through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the area where Courtois made the stop.

Next what tends to happen occurred, the save made good by the goal that comes after it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Positioned in that forward position was Bellingham. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a superb quick saves from the forward and Brahim Díaz.

There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois dived to deny the midfielder, his work done. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the last of the match.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, returning in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I felt comfortable, excellent. To perform was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”

Regarding his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well last year, there were still good moments but not the standard I aim to play at, not the caliber like the debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”