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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 finally stood before the home supporters with his arms outstretched, basking in the fans' rendition of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and questions about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Juventus side that put up a fight. “We had to sweat for it,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.

Key Saves Ensure the Victory

The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from Dušan Vlahović and produce another crucial save from the French midfielder in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on a strong tally and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with more shots than fluid football, the visiting coach may consider a promising opening, with those opportunities representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

“A side from Italy in trouble is twice as dangerous,” Xabi Alonso had warned beforehand.

The Turin-based club, who were without a victory since September, did cause Madrid problems at the beginning and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the counter, particularly with Pierre Kalulu running and the striker linking up, firing off a dozen attempts compared to the home side's 27.

Strong Opening for Visitors

They had started well, without a doubt. After just three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović somewhat unfortunate to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of Vlahović when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. Then soon after, the American midfielder's shot was deflected wide.

Next, from the defender's powerful strike, was a even better save. Fifteen minutes had gone. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated as well. Madrid assumed command. Largely it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances fell to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by the center-back.

Guler Shines

Most creative play were provided by Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was always involved. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of the French superstar yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his shot was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Then some exquisite dribbling saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the ground and laid off to his teammate to blast over.

Second-Half Drama

The Brazilian dived to halt Kalulu at the outset of the second period, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when suddenly Vlahović was away. The “assist” had been quite something, with the defender cutting out a ball inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot directly through the middle to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović outpaced his marker, using his strength and heading into the box where Courtois made the stop.

Then the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to release a low, left-footed shot which hit the post. Lurking in that forward position was Bellingham. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman denied by Di Gregorio and the Uruguayan seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a superb quick saves from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

There were more scares: as the match was slipping away, the defender had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were opened up and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Then in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work complete. For Juve, there was no way back, the opening goal of the season the last of the match.

“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve found the net, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, really good. To perform was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”

As for his performance, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I understand the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to that, how we underperformed last year, there were still good moments but not the level I want to play at, not the level 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.”