Buts: Vinícius Júnior (23eSP) for the Merengues // Thiaw (12e), Morata (39e) et Reijnders (73e) for the Rossoneri
In Madrid, the population is in a hurry. So rushed that the November crisis began in September and intensified this Tuesday against AC Milan (1-3). Overwhelmed by Milan’s accuracy, dropped defensively and as bland as a triangle sandwich, the Whites offered the ideal summary of their start to the season to the poor spectators at Santiago-Bernabéu: bad in every way.
Al dente sinking
The Madrilenians, however, believed they were secure, by putting a semblance of entry pressure. Eager to heal his crisis of confidence, Kylian Mbappé sharpened his crampons in quick succession at the start of the match, first resuming – without control – the throw-back of Lucas Vázquez (3e), then trying to take a cross from his same side (4e). Convalescence will wait. Because on the other side, Milan also has people to satisfy, and after a messy outburst from Theo Hernandez stopped by Andriy Lunin (5e), the opening is made. From a corner, Christian Pulisic managed to find Malick Thiaw who, thanks to the relaxed marking of Aurélien Tchouaméni and Éder Militão, uncrossed his noggin (0-1, 12e). Dried, the Meringues.
The wake-up call finally sounded from the Mbappé-Vinícius Júnior duo. Forcing Mike Maignan to a nice dive on the ground (17e), the Frenchman visibly excited his Brazilian sidekick, whose dangerous ball catches multiplied until he obtained a penalty. Launched into the area on a clever pass from Jude Bellingham, Vinícius Júnior found the dragging foot of Emerson Royal, guilty of a slight but logically whistled foul. Sentence transformed by Vini and his revisited panenka (1-1, 23e). An insufficient equalizer however, since the ball holding and the incursions were mainly for the visitors. It is therefore logical to see them being rewarded shortly before the break, with a shot from Rafael Leão well repelled by Lunin, but just as well followed by Álvaro Morata (1-2, 39e).
After the break, the Milanese dynamic continued. With his head, Leão made Lunin shine and his right hand (52e), then the former LOSC spoiled the excellent counter-attack led by Pulisic (56e). Opposite, the technical waste and the defensive gruyere only illustrated the project on which the Madrid management must work in the coming months. Often poorly served, Mbappé remained frustrated by his half-chances, while the entries of Brahim Díaz, Eduardo Camavinga or Dani Ceballos did absolutely nothing to energize. Enough to give free rein to the inspiration of Paulo Fonseca’s men. Notably Tijjani Reijnders. Starting from midfield with sublime possession of the ball, the Dutchman ensured a long one-two with Leão, to better find himself in the area, pivot and slide the ball between the goalkeeper’s legs (1-3, 73e). The rest didn’t look like much, between harvested strikes and flights from the powerful Magic Mike Maignan.
Far from the tumult, Carlo Ancelotti was content to make two new consecutive – and useless – changes, as if overwhelmed by events that he was no longer able to control. He whose contract ends in June 2026, but who can already feel the breath of a premature dismissal this winter emanating from the offices of Florentino Pérez (the departure of the Italian should certainly have been sealed last June, to end up on the good mark of a victory in the Champions League). Congratulations to AC Milan, winner in size boss against its former Mister. Real Madrid can already focus on next season, the time of the new cycle is (strongly) desired.
Real Madrid Milan prediction: Analysis, odds and prediction for the Champions League match
