Real Madrid faced a disheartening second consecutive defeat in the UEFA Champions League, as a resilient AC Milan emerged victorious with a scoreline of 3-1 at the iconic Estadio Santiago Bernabéu. The Italian side took an early advantage when Malick Thiaw capitalized on some glaring defensive blunders from Madrid, creating a daunting challenge for the home team. While Vinícius Júnior managed to convert a penalty, bringing hope to the home crowd, it was Álvaro Morata’s strike just before half-time that tilted the scales back in favor of the visitors. The second half saw Tijjani Reijnders extend Milan’s lead to three, leaving Real Madrid unable to orchestrate a comeback despite their best efforts.
Three answers
1. Would Carlo Ancelotti make changes to the side who lost the Clásico?
After suffering a heavy 4-0 defeat at the hands of Barcelona, the crucial question arose: what tactical adjustments would Carlo Ancelotti implement to elicit a stronger performance against AC Milan? Some analysts recommended that Ancelotti maintain his starting eleven, arguing that the team’s limited depth warranted continuity after a full 10 days of rest, ideally minimizing any fatigue effects. However, Ancelotti opted for a surprise change, dropping Eduardo Camavinga, who had been instrumental to the team’s structure during the first half of the previous Clásico, and instead brought in the veteran Luka Modrić. The 39-year-old, however, had a subdued performance and was substituted on the hour mark after a lackluster display in duels, as he was part of a mass midfield overhaul that witnessed all four midfielders replaced by the 74th minute, with Tchouameni and Valverde both forced off due to injury.
2. How would Vinícius Júnior react to the Ballon d’Or snub?
Heading into this crucial match, the spotlight was firmly on Vinícius Júnior as observers speculated on his emotional response to being overlooked for the Ballon d’Or, a situation compounded by the surrounding drama. The Brazilian managed to score a contentious penalty, coolly placing his kick down the middle of the goal. He also took three additional shots towards the goal, with two on target but lacking the potency to trouble Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan significantly. Demonstrating his creativity, Vinícius crafted a remarkable five chances—more than any other player on the pitch—but his night was marred by a frustrating performance that saw him lose nine duels, the highest tally for any player. His exasperation with the officiating led him to tempt fate, narrowly avoiding a more severe reprimand than a yellow card from Slovenian referee Slavko Vinčić. This performance illustrated the turmoil within the mind of a player struggling to find his rhythm.
3. Would Real Madrid’s unbeaten home run in the Champions League continue?
Real Madrid entered this encounter with an impressive 15-game unbeaten streak at the Estadio Santiago Bernabéu in the Champions League, marking the longest such run the club has ever achieved in the prestigious tournament. Nevertheless, it’s important to note that the team had previously fallen behind in four of their last six home Champions League encounters, highlighting a growing concern regarding their defensive frailties. This predictable defeat marked a significant turning point, as Madrid conceded three goals or more for the first time in consecutive matches since 2009—a period when the club was in a state of utter crisis, reminiscent of their current struggles following the recent heavy losses to both Barcelona and now Milan.
Three questions
1. What was Carlo Ancelotti thinking with his substitutions?
The substitutions made at half-time, particularly those replacing Fede Valverde and Aurélien Tchouameni, showcased Ancelotti’s willingness to address the concerns stemming from starting Luka Modrić over Camavinga. While this move aimed to regain control and restore balance in midfield, the subsequent changes lacked coherent strategy. Despite the pressing need for attacking vigor, it wasn’t until the final minutes that Ancelotti opted to include Rodrygo Goes in search of an equalizer. Prior to this, he had introduced Dani Ceballos and Fran García, whose combined efforts yielded a mere ten passes into the final third—a paltry number given Real Madrid’s pressing dominance in possession. Meanwhile, talented youngsters like Endrick and Arda Güler remained unused on the bench, reaffirming Ancelotti’s hesitance to trust youth, a decision seemingly betraying the team’s potential.
2. Is a change of coach needed?
With two demoralizing defeats heightening scrutiny around Ancelotti’s tactics, questions surrounding his future as head coach have escalated significantly. The context of these losses, especially coming off previous defeats against Lille in the Champions League, coupled with the extremely talented squad at his disposal, amplifies the mounting pressure on the seasoned manager. Despite Real Madrid’s season tally of only three losses, these have alarmingly occurred in the last six outings, presenting an unsettling image of a team in regression rather than evolution. The underlying issues that plagued results against Mallorca and Las Palmas earlier this year appear to resurface, underscoring the critical necessity for immediate improvements. While a coaching change might not be required at this instant, the ticking clock for Carlo Ancelotti is becoming deafeningly loud.
3. Is there an alternative at right-back?
With the January transfer window a mere two months away, the quest to find a viable alternative to Dani Carvajal presents a formidable challenge, particularly given Lucas Vázquez’s struggles to fill the void against top-tier teams, where he has been visibly outmatched. Current options within the squad are limited, as Éder Militão has not been deployed at full-back for several years, and the only backup in central positions is Jesús Vallejo. Looking ahead to Castilla and La Fábrica, the promising 17-year-old Jesús Fortea stands out as a potential candidate, albeit he has yet to transition into the first team. Throwing Fortea onto the pitch without adequate preparation could substantially harm his confidence, presenting a gamble that Ancelotti has historically been hesitant to pursue with younger players.
**Interview with Football Analyst, Sarah Thompson, on Real Madrid’s Defeat to AC Milan**
**Interviewer:** Thank you for joining us, Sarah. Real Madrid suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat against AC Milan. What do you think were the key factors that contributed to their loss?
**Sarah Thompson:** Thank you for having me. There were several factors at play. First, Real Madrid’s defense was quite shaky, particularly in the first half when they gave away an early goal due to significant blunders. Malick Thiaw’s goal seemed to set the tone for the match. Additionally, while Vinícius Júnior scored a penalty, he missed opportunities and faced a lot of frustration, which contributed to the team’s inability to find their rhythm. the team seemed to lack coherence and confidence on the field.
**Interviewer:** Carlo Ancelotti made some surprising substitutions, especially replacing Eduardo Camavinga with Luka Modrić. What did you make of that decision?
**Sarah Thompson:** It was certainly unexpected. Ancelotti seemed to prioritize experience with Modrić, but the veteran struggled to make an impact. The decision perhaps backfired as Madrid needed more dynamism in midfield. The substitutions in the second half, targeted at regaining control, lacked urgency and ultimately didn’t yield the desired attacking presence. It raises questions about Ancelotti’s tactical decisions during critical moments of the game.
**Interviewer:** With this defeat, do you think there are calls for a change in coaching?
**Sarah Thompson:** Absolutely. After two heavy losses in a row, the scrutiny on Ancelotti is increasing. Many fans and analysts are beginning to question if a fresh perspective might be needed to address the team’s tactical issues. However, it’s also essential to consider the current squad’s depth, injuries, and how those factors play into the situation. Changing a coach mid-season can be destabilizing, so it will be a crucial decision for the club.
**Interviewer:** Thank you, Sarah. Your insights are always valuable, especially following such a challenging match for Real Madrid.
**Sarah Thompson:** Always a pleasure to discuss the beautiful game!
