Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti admitted his team “have to be worried” following a disappointing 3-1 loss to AC Milan at the Santiago Bernabéu. The defeat marked back-to-back home losses for Madrid, who have now lost two of their first four Champions League games this season.
After falling behind early to a 12th-minute header from AC Milan’s Malick Thiaw, Madrid equalized through Vinicius Junior’s penalty. However, goals from Alvaro Morata and Tijjani Reijnders in the second half handed Milan a well-deserved victory, deepening Madrid’s struggles.
Defensive Woes and Midfield Struggles
Ancelotti’s side has now endured two consecutive defeats, including a 4-0 drubbing by Barcelona in El Clásico. With just six points from their first four Champions League games, Madrid are facing growing concerns over their form. The loss to Milan comes after an earlier defeat to Lille in October, putting them in a precarious position in the competition.
“We have to be worried, the team’s not giving a good account of itself,” said Ancelotti. “We have to be more compact, more organised. We’ve let in a lot of goals, and we’re not well organised on the pitch. We have to work on that.”
The defeat highlighted major issues for Madrid, particularly in defence and midfield. Despite Vinicius Junior’s equalizing penalty, Madrid’s defence was once again porous, allowing Milan to exploit their vulnerabilities. Morata’s goal came after a Madrid turnover in midfield, while Reijnders’ decisive strike came after a period of sustained pressure from Milan.
Frustration for Mbappé and Bellingham
The match also saw frustrations mount for several key players, including Kylian Mbappé and Jude Bellingham. Mbappé, who has struggled to find his rhythm in recent games, was forced to play centrally, despite his preference for the left wing. Meanwhile, Bellingham, Madrid’s star performer this season, was substituted shortly after Milan’s third goal, visibly frustrated as he kicked a water bottle in anger.
“Jude Bellingham has been vital for us, but tonight was a tough one,” Ancelotti remarked. “We need him to bounce back as we continue to work on improving our team.”
Milan’s Resilience and Tactical Discipline
On the other side, AC Milan delivered a disciplined and courageous performance. Despite early pressure from Madrid after their equalizer, Milan stood firm and took advantage of Madrid’s defensive lapses. Coach Paulo Fonseca praised his side for their resilience, particularly in the second half when they were under pressure.
“The players came here with courage, they didn’t have any fear,” said Fonseca. “In the first half, we created plenty, and in the second half, we were on the back foot, but we fought together. We definitely deserved to win.”
Champions League and Domestic Woes
Madrid’s form is now a cause for concern, especially with their next Champions League fixtures looming. In La Liga, they now trail Barcelona by nine points following their Clasico defeat, and their path to the knockout stages of the Champions League looks increasingly uncertain.
In contrast, Milan’s win gives them a much-needed boost after a mixed start to their season, sitting in seventh place in Serie A and struggling in Europe. Their victory over Madrid signals a promising response as they look to recover and challenge for top spots in both domestic and European competitions.
Vinicius and Rudiger Shine Despite Loss
Vinicius Junior, in his first game since he and Madrid boycotted the Ballon d’Or ceremony over perceived disrespect, scored a composed penalty, but it wasn’t enough to inspire a Madrid comeback. Antonio Rudiger also had a goal ruled out by VAR late in the game, adding to the team’s frustration.
Real Madrid will need to regroup quickly as they head into a busy period of fixtures, with questions now mounting over Ancelotti’s tactics and the team’s overall balance. The pressure is on the defending European champions to find solutions to their defensive and midfield problems if they are to salvage their season both domestically and in Europe.