Madrid’s struggles continue as Milan secure crucial victory at Santiago Bernabeu
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti expressed growing concerns about his team’s performance following a 3-1 home defeat to AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabeu. The defeat marked Madrid’s second consecutive home loss and left them with just six points from their first four Champions League games.
Ancelotti, aware of the mounting challenges, admitted that the team is “not giving a good account of itself” and emphasized the need for improved organization and compactness on the pitch.
Milan took the lead just 12 minutes in, as defender Malick Thiaw headed in from a corner delivered by Christian Pulisic.
Real Madrid responded quickly, with Vinicius Junior equalizing from the penalty spot nine minutes later, celebrating with Madrid fans in his first game since boycotting the Ballon d’Or ceremony alongside the club.
Despite Madrid’s fightback, Milan maintained pressure, and former Real striker Alvaro Morata restored Milan’s lead before halftime, capitalizing on Madrid’s defensive lapse after a Rafael Leao shot was parried by goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
In the second half, Tijjani Reijnders sealed the win for Milan with a powerful strike from close range, showcasing Milan’s strength in midfield, where USA international Yunus Musah also impressed. Real’s Jude Bellingham was visibly frustrated upon being substituted after Milan’s third goal.
Madrid’s Recent Struggles
This latest loss follows Madrid’s heavy 4-0 defeat to rivals Barcelona in El Clasico, a result that has left them trailing by nine points in La Liga. Ancelotti’s team has now lost two of their last four games in the Champions League, raising concerns about their chances of progressing further in the tournament.
Madrid’s midfield, traditionally one of their strongest units, struggled to cope with Milan’s high press, with Ancelotti pointing out the team’s lack of organization and the need to address defensive vulnerabilities.
Striker Kylian Mbappe’s continued struggles in front of goal added to Madrid’s woes. The French forward, who has scored just once in his last six games, has been forced to play centrally due to Vinicius’ preferred position on the left wing, which may have affected his form.
Before the match, both teams wore white T-shirts reading “we are all Valencia” in support of the Spanish city, which experienced severe flooding. The gesture, combined with a minute’s silence, reflected the teams’ solidarity with the affected region.
With both league and European form slipping, Real Madrid will need to regroup quickly if they hope to stay competitive in both La Liga and the Champions League. For Ancelotti, the focus is now on stabilizing the team and finding solutions to their recent struggles, starting with reinforcing their defensive organization.