The reigning European champions lost their second league game after putting on a terrible display.

The Champions League winners were beaten 3-1 by AC Milan in Madrid, Spain. This showed Real Madrid’s defensive flaws again, as their powerful attack went silent.

They scored three well-executed goals against Carlo Ancelotti’s team, and they were never able to get going in the last third. In particular, Kylian Mbappe looked annoyed that he had to keep working with Vinicius Jr.

Milan had a better start, and their prices for their first game were fair. Malick Thiaw scored after Christian Pulisic set up the goal with a corner kick that was just right.

As soon as Madrid got back on the ball, Mbappe almost scored, but Mike Maignan made one of his nine saves on the night to stop him. On the 23rd minute, Emerson Royal foolishly brought down Vinicius in the box, and Vinicius scored from the penalty spot to tie the game. However, Milan scored again just before halftime when Alvaro Morata scored from close range after Andriy Lunin saved Rafael Leao’s shot.

Madrid tried to attack more in the second half, but they were incredibly vulnerable when they broke, and Milan took advantage. Leao started it all by stomping on Lucas Vazquez and then setting up Tijjani Reijnders with an easy goal to make it 3-1. Antonio Rudiger hit a beautiful shot into the bottom corner, which could have put Real Madrid back in the game, but his goal was called offside by VAR.

 

Goalkeeper & Defence

Andriy Lunin (5/10):

 

Could do nothing about any of the goals, and made a few neat saves otherwise.

Lucas Vazquez (3/10):

 

Poor guy! Was absolutely bombarded with raking passes into space all evening.

Eder Militao (4/10):

Perhaps should have cleared Pulisic’s corner at the near post for the openrt, and was easily moved around when Milan attacked.

Antonio Rudiger (5/10):

Got dragged out of space for the Milan third. Slow moving the ball.

Ferland Mendy (6/10):

Not much of the Milan play came down his side of the pitch, but he could have offered a bit more in attack.

AFP

Midfield

Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):

Endured a pretty woeful first half, giving the ball away in the run up to the Milan second, and struggled throughout. Deservedly hooked at half-time.

Federico Valverde (6/10):

Had several intriguing offensive moves and good ball movement, but Milan’s second goal took him off guard. unexpected sub during the intermission.

Luka Modric (6/10):

Appeared the most likely to make a move, played some deft passes, and danced around in the latter third. seemed slack after an hour, though, and was replaced.

Jude Bellingham (6/10):

made deft midfield moves on a regular basis, however his season was largely marred by his poor finishing performance.

Attack

Kylian Mbappe (5/10):

In the first half, a shot was cleverly blocked, but otherwise had little effect. Sometimes, this side seems a little misplaced.

Vinicius Jr (6/10):

Converted a penalty after winning it. subsequently carved out a few menacing moments, but was unable to generate the required magic.

AFP

Subs & Manager

Brahim Diaz (6/10):

Almost scored a late goal, but was wonderfully denied by Maignan.

Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):

Injected a bit of extra intensity into the game after coming on at half-time.

Dani Ceballos (5/10):

Went for the Hollywood pass too often, and really hould have kept the ball moving more.

Fran Garcia (6/10):

Offered a little more attacking thrust on the left wing.

Rodrygo (6/10):

Looked to make things happen, and was probably brought on too late.

Carlo Ancelotti (3/10):

Rodrygo was benched in favor of a Vinicius-Mbappe split striking combination. His Madrid team struggled to get going in the last third and was continually sliced open on the counter. They have now lost points to Milan, Barcelona, Lille, and Atletico Madrid. A night to remember.