Madrid suffered two consecutive home losses, losing two of their first four Champions League games.
Vinicius Junior scored a penalty to level the score after Malick Thiaw’s opener. But goals from Alvaro Morata and Tijjani Reijnders secured Milan’s well-earned victory.
Madrid’s recent struggles include a heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona in El Clasico, leaving them nine points behind in La Liga. In the Champions League, they only have six points from four games after losing to Lille in October.
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Ancelotti expressed concern: We should be worried the team isn’t performing. Well We need to be more compact and organized, as we’re conceding too many goals.
Milan, meanwhile, have also had a mixed season, with just one win from their first three Champions League games. And currently seventh in Serie A, trailing Napoli by eight points.
However, Milan’s manager Paulo Fonseca praised his team’s effort, saying, “The players showed courage and no fear. We created many chances in the first half and defended well in the second. We definitely deserved to win.”
Milan took an early lead after 12 minutes when center-back Malick Thiaw headed in Christian Pulisic’s corner at the near post, scoring his first goal for the club.
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Madrid leveled the score nine minutes later, with Vinicius converting a penalty in his first game since he and the club skipped the Ballon d’Or ceremony, citing a lack of respect. After tripped in the box bynEmerson Royal. Vinicius chipped Milan’s goalkeeper Mike Maignan and celebrated by kissing the Real Madrid badge in front of cheering fans.
In a thrilling, back-and-forth match, Madrid lost possession in midfield just before halftime. Rafael Leao’s low shot was blocked by Andriy Lunin. But former Madrid and Atletico striker Alvaro Morata reacted quickly, firing the rebound into the top of the net.
Madrid fans had a frustrating night, especially watching Kylian Mbappe, who now has just one goal in six games, struggle up front. The 25-year-old prefers playing on the left wing. But Ancelotti has kept Vinicius there, forcing Mbappe to play in the center.
After halftime, as Madrid pressed forward. Milan nearly struck on the counter, with Andriy Lunin making a stunning save to deny Rafael Leao’s header in the 55th minute.
Milan extended their lead 17 minutes from time when Tijjani Reijnders, who controlled the midfield alongside Yunus Musah, made a powerful run and scored from close range, beating Lunin.
Madrid’s midfield struggled throughout the game, with Jude Bellingham substituted after the third Milan goal, showing his frustration by kicking a water bottle. Carlo Ancelotti, previously a Champions League winner with both Milan and Madrid, watched his team struggle.
Madrid’s night worsened when Antonio Rudiger’s goal was ruled out by VAR with under 10 minutes left.
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This was Madrid first game since their heavy losing to Barcelona in El Clasico. As their weekend match with Valencia was postpon due to flooding in Spain. Both teams wore white T-shirts reading “we are all Valencia” in support. And fans displayed banners and a giant Valencia flag during a pre-match moment of silence.
