In a stunning Champions League night at the Santiago Bernabéu, AC Milan delivered a tactical masterclass to defeat Real Madrid 3-1. The victory, sealed by goals from Malick Thiaw, Tijjani Reijnders, and Álvaro Morata, handed Madrid their first home loss in the competition since 2022. The result left manager Carlo Ancelotti and the home fans in shock, exposing deep vulnerabilities in the Spanish giants’ squad just as their European campaign intensifies.
Milan’s Early Dominance Shocks the Bernabéu
From the opening whistle, AC Milan played with an intensity that Real Madrid simply could not match. The Italian side seized control of the midfield, pressing high and disrupting Madrid’s rhythm before it could even begin. Their dominance paid off quickly.
Just 11 minutes into the game, a brilliant corner kick from Christian Pulisic found defender Malick Thiaw, who rose completely unchallenged to head the ball into the net. The goal highlighted a worrying passivity in Madrid’s defense, a theme that would continue throughout the night. Pulisic and former Madrid striker Álvaro Morata were constant threats, pulling defenders out of position and creating space for their teammates.
Madrid’s Brief Hope and Milan’s Swift Response
Real Madrid showed a brief flash of their famous fighting spirit when Vinícius Júnior equalized from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after Kylian Mbappé was fouled. The Bernabéu crowd roared, anticipating another one of their team’s signature comebacks. However, the hope was short-lived.
AC Milan refused to be rattled and immediately reasserted their control. They continued to find gaps in Madrid’s disorganized midfield, with players like Tijjani Reijnders and Theo Hernández advancing almost at will. The pressure soon led to another goal, as a shot from Rafael Leão was parried by keeper Andriy Lunin directly into the path of Morata, who made no mistake with the rebound. For Morata, the goal was a moment of sweet redemption against his former club.
Defensive Collapse Exposes Madrid’s Vulnerabilities
Madrid’s performance was defined by a shocking lack of defensive cohesion. The back line, including seasoned defenders like Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão, was repeatedly caught off guard by Milan’s fluid attacks. At one point, Pulisic dribbled over 70 yards through the heart of the field without a single challenge, a clear sign of Madrid’s disarray.
The statistics from the match paint a grim picture for the home side.
- AC Milan registered 13 attempts on goal throughout the game.
- This was the most shots on goal Real Madrid has allowed from a visiting team in a Champions League match in 20 years.
- If not for several key saves from Andriy Lunin, the final score could have been far worse for Madrid.
Reijnders put the game beyond doubt with a brilliant third goal, calmly sidestepping defenders before finishing past Lunin. A late strike from Rüdiger was correctly ruled offside by VAR, extinguishing any final glimmer of hope for a comeback.
Ancelotti’s Milestone Night Ends in Frustration
The loss was particularly bitter for Carlo Ancelotti, who was managing his 190th Champions League game, equaling Sir Alex Ferguson’s all-time record. Instead of a celebration, the night ended in deep concern. “We have to be worried,” Ancelotti stated after the match. “We were too slow, too disorganized. It will be a very long night.”
This defeat raises serious questions about Real Madrid’s ability to compete for the Champions League title this season. While the team is filled with superstars, their lack of urgency and defensive solidity was alarming. For AC Milan, however, the victory is a massive boost, proving they can defeat Europe’s elite and reviving their campaign with a performance of immense quality and confidence.
