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It may not have been a classic encounter, the chanting 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 fans' singing of his anthem. Following a shoulder injury and uncertainty about his role, he netted his opening strike of the campaign, ultimately delivering a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.

Key Saves Ensure the Victory

Courtois understood better than anyone, having to rescue a clear chance from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial stop from Khéphren Thuram in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and the opposition team outside the qualifying spots. After a game with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a promising opening, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the 85-minute mark; the team's reality however presents concerning reading.

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

Juventus, which hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the end. Madrid commanded possession, with a significant advantage, but Juventus threatened on the break, particularly with the French defender running and the striker linking up, managing 12 shots compared to the hosts' 27.

Promising Start for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they believed they were in front, Vlahović somewhat unlucky to be penalized for pulling the Brazilian defender. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene in front of him when Kalulu dashed clear on the right. And three minutes after that, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.

Next, from Federico Gatti's powerful strike, was a more impressive save. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, quickly the visitors' impetus had dissipated too. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to the French midfielder, who is not the coach's preferred forward. Two were off target, a third one deflected wide; another headed opportunity was wasted by Militão.

Turkish Talent Impresses

The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the closest there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.

There was not much sign of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid got to a goal. Initially his attempt was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce several stops. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and set up Militão to fire over.

Late Tension

Militão threw himself to halt the runner at the outset of the second half, and then came the customary Courtois rescue when unexpectedly the attacker was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly cutting out a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the center to beyond the halfway line. Sprinting after it, ample room appearing, the striker outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the area where the keeper made the stop.

Then the usual pattern happened, the save compensated for by the score that comes after it. A flash from the Brazilian winger set up it, creating enough room amid multiple defenders to unleash a low, left-footed shot which struck the upright. Positioned in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, Mbappé denied by the keeper and Fede Valverde seeing his half-volley deflected by the defender. Then Di Gregorio made a brilliant double stop from the forward and the attacking midfielder.

There were more scares: as the game was slipping away, Raúl Asencio had to make a incredible last-ditch tackle as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For the visitors, 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 scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that instant, back in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To score a winner, in our stadium, it’s incredible. I was at ease, excellent. To play well was important and to net the match-winner benefits the team greatly.”

Regarding his form, he added: “It wasn't that last year was a disaster, still fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the perception 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 caliber like the first year. Now I’ve had my operation, a different coach, he’s got that shape, how we want to play…. You have to learn from it.”