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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the chanting from the Madrid's home stadium was familiar. Having been absent for some time, Jude Bellingham finally stood before the home supporters with his arms wide open, listening to the fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he netted his opening strike of the season, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” commented Thibaut Courtois.

Key Saves Ensure the Win

The shot-stopper understood perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on a strong tally and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; their current situation though presents worrying statistics.

“A side from Italy in difficulty is doubly threatening,” Xabi Alonso had warned in advance.

Juventus, which were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the start and again near the end. Madrid commanded possession, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with the French defender running and Vlahović combining, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.

Strong Opening for Visitors

They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be penalized for pulling Éder Militão. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene ahead of him when the wing-back dashed clear on the right. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed wide.

What followed, from the defender's drive, was a even better stop. A quarter of an hour had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid took control. Largely it was all a bit functional, however, and the three best opportunities fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not the coach's preferred forward. A couple were off target, a third took a deflection; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the back post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. First his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn the full-back twice until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.

Late Tension

Militão dived to halt the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when suddenly the attacker was away. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot right through the center to past the halfway line. Racing after it, ample room opening, the striker raced his marker, holding him off and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.

Then the usual pattern occurred, the stop compensated for by the score that follows it. A flash from Vinícius Júnior created it, working himself enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a driven effort which struck the post. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid should have finished it, Mbappé denied by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde 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 game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of Loïs Openda unmarked in the area. Then in the dying moments Courtois flew in to deny Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, there was no way back, the opening goal of the campaign the last of the encounter.

“It’s a great feeling, a long time now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, back in the elite competition and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform was important and to score the winning goal helps the team a lot.”

As for 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 positive spells but not the standard I aim to play at, not the level like the debut season. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to take lessons.”