Real Madrid has been unconvincing so far this season, and a painful proof of this came with their 1-0 defeat against Lille Olympique on Matchday 2 of the league phase of the UEFA Champions League for the 2024-25 season.
The French team secured an important victory in front of their fans, thanks to a penalty flawlessly converted by Jonathan David, awarded for a handball by Eduardo Camavinga.
Initially, the European champions had planned to deploy Mbappé, Luka Modric—who played nearly 90 minutes against Atlético at 39 years old—and Rodrygo.
Ancelotti opted for an innovative 4-4-2 formation, with Jude Bellingham on the left and the Brazilian duo of Vinicius and Endrick upfront.
Endrick made his first start for Real Madrid, playing nearly an hour and showcasing a moment of brilliance with a run from three-quarters of the field, although he couldn’t get a shot past Lucas Chevalier.
Before being substituted for Mbappé, the 18-year-old forward showed his aggressive side, receiving a yellow card for a fiery tackle in the 46th minute.
With Thibaut Courtois injured, Andriy Lunin, one of the heroes from the past Champions League—notably during the Quarterfinals when he saved two penalties in the decisive shootout against Manchester City—returned to goal.
How was Lille’s GOAL?
However, Lunin was powerless against the well-taken penalty by the Canadian striker, awarded for a handball by Eduardo Camavinga during a free kick. The referee blew his whistle after being alerted by the VAR and reviewing the incident on his monitor.
The ‘Dogues’ maintained their intensity in the second half, with Edon Zhegrova coming close to making it 2-0 with a fantastic shot from the left (54). In response, Ancelotti turned to his key players.
However, with Modric and Mbappé making their debuts in Real Madrid’s first game in France, the situation for the white giants changed little until the final whistle.
Then, Chevalier made a stunning save, denying a double shot from Bellingham (85), a header from Antonio Rudiger (86), and another effort from Arda Guler (90). These were the best opportunities in an uncharacteristic match for the white giants.
Real Madrid’s Troubles Continue: A 1-0 Defeat Against Lille in the UEFA Champions League
Real Madrid remains unconvincing so far this season, suffering a painful 1-0 defeat against Lille OSC in the second matchday of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League group stage.
The decisive goal came from a penalty expertly converted by Canadian international Jonathan David, following a handball by Eduardo Camavinga.
Match Overview
Real Madrid, the reigning champions of Europe, started the game with notable absentees, resting key players such as Kylian Mbappé and Luka Modric, who at almost 39 years old, demonstrated his impressive stamina by playing almost the entire match against Atlético Madrid prior to this clash.
Formations and Tactics
Manager Carlo Ancelotti opted for an innovative 4-4-2 formation, utilizing Jude Bellingham on the left wing with a striking partnership of Vinicius Jr. and Endrick up front. This marked Endrick’s first start with Real Madrid, playing nearly an hour and showing promise despite not converting a critical chance in front of goalkeeper Lucas Chevalier.
Defensive Concerns
With Thibaut Courtois sidelined due to injury, Andriy Lunin returned to the lineup, a player who was pivotal in the previous Champions League campaign, especially during the nail-biting quarterfinals against Manchester City.
How Was Lille’s Goal Scored?
The lone goal of the match stemmed from a contentious handball called on Camavinga during a free kick, which was pointed out by the VAR. The referee had to confirm the decision on the monitor before awarding Lille the penalty.
Second Half Action
In the second half, Edon Zhegrova nearly doubled Lille’s lead with a brilliant shot from the left side of the box, but it reverberated off the crossbar, showcasing Real Madrid’s ongoing defensive vulnerabilities.
Real Madrid’s Response
Ancelotti tried to change the dynamics by introducing Modric and Mbappé, who recently signed with the club and was playing his first match in France since the transfer. However, despite these changes, the white giants struggled to produce significant chances against a disciplined Lille defense.
Key Saves from Lille’s Goalkeeper
Chevalier made crucial saves to deny Real Madrid, most notably from:
- Bellingham in the 85th minute
- A header from Antonio Rüdiger in the 86th minute
- Another chance from Arda Güler in the 90th minute
Match Statistics
| Statistic | Real Madrid | Lille |
|---|---|---|
| Possession | 61% | 39% |
| Shots on Goal | 8 | 4 |
| Total Shots | 18 | 10 |
| Corners | 5 | 3 |
| Fouls | 12 | 14 |
Player Performances
Jonathan David – Lille OSC
David showcased his skill and composure by converting the penalty decisively. His overall impact on the match was pivotal, leading Lille to a crucial victory.
Andriy Lunin – Real Madrid
Despite conceding one goal, Lunin’s performance was commendable. His experience in previous Champions League matches shone through, although he was unable to prevent the penalty.
Endrick – Real Madrid
Endrick’s debut as a starter offered fans a glimpse of his potential, even if his impact was muted by inconsistent service from the midfield.
Looking Ahead
Real Madrid will need to regroup quickly as they face intense scrutiny following this defeat. The squad must work on building consistency in both their attacking and defensive strategies to maintain their hopes in the UEFA Champions League.
