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It may not have been a classic encounter, 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 crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing 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.

Key Saves Ensure the Victory

The shot-stopper understood better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result puts Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the Juventus manager may reflect on a promising opening, with those saves 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 remarked beforehand.

The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and again near the conclusion. Madrid commanded the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.

Strong Opening for Away Side

They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was pushed past the post.

What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, soon the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. A couple were headed over, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was missed by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose play was the closest there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the far post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, 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 Militão to blast over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with the defender intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, Vlahović raced his marker, holding him off and heading into the box where the keeper saved.

Next what tends to happen happened, the save compensated for 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 hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by Gatti. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

There were more scares: as the match was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the penalty box. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to stop the midfielder, his job complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the season the final of the match.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve found the net, a period out and dreaming of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”

As for his performance, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a part of that, how we didn’t play as well 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 new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to learn from it.”