MADRID, SPAIN - NOVEMBER 05: Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid reacts during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 League Phase MD4 match between Real Madrid C.F. and AC Milan at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on November 05, 2024 in Madrid, Spain.

Real Madrid 1-3 AC Milan: Match review

Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images

Another disappointing night at the Santiago Bernabeu culminated in a comfortable 1-3 victory for AC Milan over Real Madrid.

Real Madrid started the game with Eduardo Camavinga on the bench, which came as a surprise since the Frenchman was the best player for Los Blancos in the past few games – despite the losses.

The match began in the worst possible way as the Italian side took a lead in the 12th minute through a header from Malick Thiaw from a corner. This further showed how poor Madrid have been on set pieces this season.

But the men in white managed to pull things back in the 23rd minute after Vinicius earned a penalty following the slightest of touches from Emerson Royal. The Brazilian made no mistake whatsoever and levelled the score.

Kylian Mbappe looked a much better player from last time, getting into good scoring positions, only to get his shots denied by Mike Maignan who looked in sublime form.

Fede Valverde, for a second game in a row, looked off-colour and it was visible that the Uruguayan was fatigued. Jude Bellingham did the heavy work in the midfield, supplying the pass and then making a run as well inside the box.

But AC Milan also seemed up to the task and were soon rewarded as Alvaro Morata scored from a rebound after Rafael Leao’s shot was saved by Andriy Lunin.

The Ukrainian also looked in good nick, making some very close saves and kept Madrid in the game.

Fede’s fatigue led him to get subbed off for Eduardo Camavinga and Brahim Díaz came on for Aurelien Tchouaméni. 

There were signs that the Merengues were on course to make yet another comeback in the Champions League even after Tijjani Reijnders scored through Lunin’s legs and Milan’s 3rd of the night.

Vinícius was unable to take advantage of his battle with fellow Brazilian Emerson as the right-back came out of that battle, unscathed.

Yet again, Antonio Rüdiger gave hope for a comeback and those hopes were shut down as the German defender was slightly offside. 

Things could have gotten a lot worse had not Lunin been up to the mark and the loss could have been even more embarrassing than it already was.

For Carlo Ancelotti, things are beginning to look bad and a sacking announcement now looks like a possibility.

Speaking of the game, Kylian Mbappe was trying to do the job Karim Benzema did when he used to sit a bit deep and be involved in the buildup – but that plan was not executed to perfection

Also, Jude Bellingham did all the heavy lifting, making runs inside the box, and making those crucial passes and made sure that the ball stayed at his feet.

After this loss, Real Madrid sit on 17th in the UCL table with tough fixtures against Liverpool at Anfield next up, followed by Atalanta and Brest away from home and RB Salzburg at the Bernabeu.

However, before the international break, Los Blancos will lock horns against CA Osasuna on Saturday – who happen to be the only side to have defeated Hansi Flick’s Barcelona.

Tags Real Madrid vs AC Milan