Real Madrid falls in Lille and Ancelotti sees his good streak in the Champions League cut short

Lille brought down Real Madrid, current champion of the UEFA Champions League, to the ground and in the process destroyed the best unbeaten record of Carlo Ancelotti’s career, 36 consecutive games, while punishing the bad game of a team that has a problem away from the Santiago Bernabéu and that only deserved the tie in the last minutes when it ran into Chevalier.

Real Madrid cannot get away from irregularity. What appeared to be a bad trend for visitor starts is now a serious problem. Only one win in five outings this football season. Three draws and a defeat that they haven’t suffered in a long time. To the bad taste in his mouth of a derby that he let go with the last breath when he felt like a winner, the image of Lille was added. A first half without rhythm in their game, weak in the long ball after Carlo Ancelotti populated his midfield due to Mbappé’s absence from the start, and with a late reaction with more pride than football.

‘Carletto’ decided not to force the return of Kylian Mbappé in the eleven, his reference and, in turn, the player who ‘conditions’ the system. The return to 4-4-2 has left offensive gaps. A Real Madrid that steps in less of the opponent’s area and shoots less. It already happened at the Metropolitano and was confirmed in a large part of the duel at the Pierre Mauroy. In everything except a final arson of that characteristic pride.

Against a rival with a child in charge. Bouaddi, on his 17th birthday, took on the challenge of directing Lille’s game against the European champion. He was not intimidated with the ball and fought everything without it. In front of me were giants. A Real Madrid that exhibited physical strength by bringing together Tchouaméni and Fede Valverde with Camavinga for the first day.

Key action

In his first game marked by an accident after appearing efficiently in containment work, when he cut off the shot from a foul with his hand removed from his body inside his area that changed the course of the duel in added time. Until that moment, equality and the absence of a dominant team marked the match.

Vinícius had tested Chevalier’s safety with a shot from the front after a Bellingham robbery that had the second and sent her to the stands. Lille found a vein in Mendy’s wing, which they punished with increases from Tiago Santos. With very close lines, it was a firm block that barely left any spaces. Endrick found one in a quick transition, when ‘Vini’ divided and gave his compatriot the opportunity to take the chance. He defined poorly, centered, the goalkeeper’s body.

It was Lunin’s first day due to Courtois’ injury and it was as if time had not passed for the Ukrainian goalkeeper. As if he played every week and hadn’t been relegated to second place. With a brilliant double save he avoided Jonathan David’s goal from close range. Behind Carvajal, with another cross from the Mendy area. Quick reflexes he saved the first down and reacted to the second.

There was nothing he could do in the penalty shot when the first half was dying. Camavinga’s handball, seen from the VAR, allowed Lille to find the desired prize. David did not forgive and forced Real Madrid to improve in the second act. To do this and after a left-footed warning from Zhegrova near the post, Ancelotti turned to Modric and Mbappé. Just eight days after suffering a muscle ailment.

It took him 87 minutes to reach the rival goal. Vinícius crossed the first one that Modric invented too much and Carvajal did not find a header. Taking risks, exposed to Lille’s transitions, with Tchouaméni as center back, only in the last breath did he deserve to avoid defeat.

Last stages of the clash

He shot more on goal in the final stages than in the entire game. Even though Mbappé played with the handbrake on, fearing it would break. Güler’s entry increased the momentum at the top but it was not the day.

Aim was lacking and Chevalier’s figure was decisive. Helped by his defense first, to take a header from Rüdiger, who made a great save when he appeared at the far post and down Güler’s header in the race to Modric’s measured pass.

The game was going between desperate attempts and a blow by Vinícius at the goalkeeper’s hand. Lille was a party.

The champion knelt down to spice up a ‘Champions’ team that is new to its format and in which it must avoid the two extra matches if it does not finish in the top eight. A record was struck by a team that had not lost since January 18. He has his streak left in LaLiga EA Sports in Spain, after a warning that he must keep in mind.

Lille / EFE