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It may not have been a classic encounter, the roar from the Santiago Bernabéu was familiar. After a long wait, Jude Bellingham once again stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' rendition of his anthem. After a lengthy layoff and questions about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, ultimately delivering a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.

Key Saves Ensure the Win

The shot-stopper knew better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and make another crucial stop from the French midfielder in the dying moments. This result 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 wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though makes for concerning reading.

“An Italian team in difficulty is doubly threatening,” the Madrid coach had warned in advance.

Juventus, which hadn’t won since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus were dangerous on the counter, especially with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, firing off 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.

Strong Opening for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, certainly. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, the forward somewhat unlucky to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to slide ahead of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right flank. And three minutes after that, Weston McKennie's shot was deflected past the post.

Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. Fifteen minutes had passed. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, though, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third one took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play were provided by the young Turk. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.

Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé early on, but when he did appear it was the nearest Madrid came to scoring. Initially his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make several stops. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him evade Andrea Cambiaso twice until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to Militão to fire over.

Second-Half Drama

The Brazilian dived to halt the runner at the start of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, holding him off and advancing into the area where Courtois saved.

Then the usual pattern happened, the stop compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger set up it, working himself enough space amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the upright. Positioned in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Subsequently the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from the forward and Brahim Díaz.

It was not the only one: as the match was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper flew in to deny Thuram, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no route to a comeback, the opening goal of the campaign the final 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 instant, back in the elite competition and against a big team. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, really good. To play well was important and to net the match-winner helps the team greatly.”

As for his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with 15 goals, fourteen setups, but I understand the general feeling was that it was poorer. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the level I aim to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”