The reigning European champions lost their second league game after putting on a terrible display.
In the Spanish capital, AC Milan defeated the Champions League winners 3-1, exposing Real Madrid’s defensive weaknesses once more as their potent offense fell silent.
Three well-executed goals were scored against Carlo Ancelotti’s team, and they were never able to generate any momentum in the closing third. Particularly, Kylian Mbappe appeared irritated as his collaboration with Vinicius Jr. persisted.
Milan had a better start and were reasonably priced for their first game. Malick Thiaw headed home after Christian Pulisic set it up with an inch-perfect corner.
Madrid almost responded immediately, with Mbappe bursting through on goal, but Mike Maignan denied him with one of his nine saves on the night. Vinicius did, however, equalise on 23 minutes, converting from the spot after Emerson Royal recklessly brought his fellow Brazilian down in the box. Milan scored again shortly before half time, though, as Alvaro Morata turned home from close-range after Andriy Lunin parried Rafael Leao’s snapshot.
Madrid offered more attacking intent in the second half, but they left themselves frighteningly open on the break, and Milan capitalised. Leao was at the centre of it all, torching Lucas Vazquez before finding a wide open Tijjani Reijnders for a 3-1 lead. Los Blancos might have worked their way back into the game when Antonio Rudiger unleashed a fine strike into the bottom corner, but a tight VAR decision saw his goal ruled out for offside.
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.