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It may not have been a classic encounter, 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 outstretched, basking in the crowd's rendition of Hey Jude. After a shoulder injury and questions about his position, he scored his first goal of the campaign, ultimately securing a 1-0 victory for Real Madrid over a Italian opponent that put up a fight. “It was a tough battle,” stated the Belgian goalkeeper.

Decisive Stops Secure the Victory

Courtois understood perfectly well, having to save a clear chance from Dušan Vlahović and make another decisive save from Khéphren Thuram in the dying moments. The win puts Madrid on nine points and the opposition team below the cut. At the end of a match with plenty of attempts but little elegance, the Juventus manager may consider a decent start, with those opportunities representing a missed chance around the 85-minute mark; their current situation however presents worrying statistics.

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

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 break, especially with the French defender surging forward and Vlahović combining, managing 12 shots compared to the home side's 27.

Strong Opening for Away Side

They had started well, certainly. After just three minutes, they thought they were in front, Vlahović a little unfortunate to be called for pulling Éder Militão. Shortly after, Raúl Asencio had to intervene ahead of Vlahović when the wing-back dashed clear on the right flank. Then three minutes after that, the American midfielder's shot was pushed past the post.

What followed, from the defender's drive, was a more impressive stop. Fifteen minutes had gone. However, quickly the Italians' momentum had faded as well. Madrid took control. Mostly it was rather mechanical, however, and the top chances came to Aurélien Tchouaméni, who is not Alonso’s striker of choice. Two were headed over, a third deflected wide; another headed opportunity was missed by the center-back.

Guler Shines

The best moments were provided by Arda Güler. The Turk, whose football was the nearest thing there was to smooth attacking, was always involved. His neat stop and turn saw him clip to the far post for the Englishman.

Little was seen of Kylian Mbappé yet, but when he finally emerged it was the nearest Madrid got to scoring. First his shot was stopped by Michele Di Gregorio, who would make eight saves. Next some lovely fast footwork saw him turn Andrea Cambiaso repeatedly until he went down to the ground and set up Militão to fire over.

Late Tension

Militão dived to stop the runner at the start of the second half, and then came the regulation Courtois rescue when suddenly Vlahović was through. The “inadvertent pass” had been quite something, with Lloyd Kelly intercepting a pass inside his own penalty box and the sphere deflecting from the inside of his boot directly through the center to beyond the halfway line. Racing after it, huge space appearing, Vlahović raced Militão, using his strength and advancing into the box where Courtois made the stop.

Next the usual pattern occurred, the stop made good by the goal that follows it. A burst from the Brazilian winger created it, working himself enough room amid four men to release a driven effort which hit the upright. Lurking in that striker’s role was the goalscorer. The breakthrough found, Madrid should have finished it, the Frenchman stopped by Di Gregorio and Fede Valverde seeing his volley deflected by the defender. Then the Juventus goalkeeper made a brilliant double stop from Mbappé and Brahim Díaz.

It was not the only one: as the game was drawing to a close, the defender had to make a stunning sliding block as Madrid were exposed and at the mercy of the substitute unmarked in the area. Finally in the final seconds Courtois dived to stop the midfielder, his work complete. For the visitors, there was no way back, Bellingham’s first of the season the final of the match.

“It’s a great feeling, a while now since I’ve scored, a period out and thinking of that instant, returning in the Champions League and against a major opponent. To get the decisive goal, here at home, it’s unbelievable. I was at ease, excellent. To perform 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, still fifteen strikes, 14 assists, but I know the general feeling was that it was worse. But I was a contributor to 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 debut season. Now I’ve had my shoulder surgery, a new manager, he’s got that shape, how we intend to play…. You have to take lessons.”