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While it wasn't a match for the ages, the roar 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 fans' singing of Hey Jude. Following a lengthy layoff and uncertainty about his position, he scored his first goal of the season, eventually securing a narrow win for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that made them work hard. “It was a tough battle,” commented the Belgian goalkeeper.

Decisive Stops Secure the Win

The shot-stopper knew perfectly well, having to rescue a one-on-one from the Serbian striker and produce another crucial save from the French midfielder in the final minute. This result leaves Madrid on nine points and Igor Tudor’s team outside the qualifying spots. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may reflect on a decent start, with those saves representing a wasted moment around the closing stages; the team's reality however makes for worrying statistics.

“An Italian team in difficulty is twice as dangerous,” the Madrid coach had warned beforehand.

The Turin-based club, who hadn’t won since last month, posed Madrid problems at the start and once more near the conclusion. Madrid dominated the ball, 66%-34%, but Juventus threatened on the break, especially with Pierre Kalulu running and Vlahović combining, managing a dozen attempts compared to the home side's twenty-seven.

Strong Opening for Visitors

The visitors began brightly, without a doubt. Within three minutes, they thought they were ahead, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for pulling the Brazilian defender. Three minutes later, the Madrid defender had to intervene in front of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. And soon after, the American midfielder's effort was pushed wide.

What followed, from Federico Gatti's drive, was a more impressive stop. A quarter of an hour had passed. That said, soon the Italians' momentum had dissipated too. Madrid assumed command. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the three best opportunities came to the French midfielder, who wouldn’t be Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third one deflected wide; an additional chance with the head was wasted by the center-back.

Turkish Talent Impresses

Most creative play came from Arda Güler. Güler, whose football was the nearest thing there was to fluidity, was constantly in the action. His clever control and spin saw him deliver to the back post for Bellingham.

Little was seen of the French superstar early on, but when he finally emerged it was the closest Madrid came to a goal. Initially his attempt was denied by Michele Di Gregorio, who would produce eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him evade the full-back repeatedly until he tumbled to the turf and laid off to his teammate to blast over.

Late Tension

The Brazilian threw himself to stop Kalulu at the outset of the second half, and then came the regulation save from the keeper when unexpectedly Vlahović was through. The “assist” had been remarkable, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own area and the ball bouncing from the instep of his foot right through the center to past the center circle. Sprinting after it, huge space opening, Vlahović outpaced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where the keeper saved.

Next what tends to happen occurred, the save compensated for by the score that follows it. A burst from Vinícius Júnior created it, creating enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Lurking in that forward position was the goalscorer. With the deadlock broken, Madrid ought to have sealed the game, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley blocked 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 game was drawing to a close, Raúl Asencio had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the risk of the substitute momentarily alone in the penalty box. Finally in the dying moments the Madrid keeper dived to stop Thuram, his work done. For Juve, there was no route to a comeback, Bellingham’s first of the campaign the final of the encounter.

“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a lot of time out and thinking of that moment, returning in the Champions League and against a big team. To score a winner, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I felt comfortable, excellent. To play well was crucial and to net the match-winner benefits the team a lot.”

Regarding his form, he continued: “It wasn't that last year was a failure, with fifteen strikes, fourteen setups, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a part of that, how we underperformed last year, there were nonetheless good moments but not the standard I want to play at, not the level like the first year. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that system, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”