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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Santiago Bernabéu was unmistakable. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham once again found himself before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, listening to the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he scored his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Secure the Victory

Courtois knew better than anyone, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a missed chance around the closing stages; the team's reality however presents worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.

The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since last month, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.

Strong Opening for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for holding Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's effort was deflected past the post.

What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, soon the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was missed by Militão.

Guler Shines

Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose play was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for Bellingham.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to scoring. First his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Then some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back twice until he went down to the turf and laid off to Militão to fire over.

Late Tension

The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to past the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, the striker raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.

Then the usual pattern occurred, the stop compensated for by the goal that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior set up it, creating enough space amid four men to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé stopped by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked by Gatti. 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, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda momentarily alone in the penalty box. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny the midfielder, his work done. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the encounter.

“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 elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was important and to score the winning goal helps the team greatly.”

Regarding his form, he continued: “I didn’t think last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know 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 nonetheless good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the caliber 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 take lessons.”