10 days after losing 0-4 to Barcelona in El Clasico, Real Madrid not only needed to beat AC Milan in the Champions League. Moreover, they also need a victory to declare. There needs to be evidence that Los Blancos are starting to connect with a series of controversies surrounding Kylian Mbappe.
However, they continued to lose 1-3 at home to AC Milan. Instead of proving it, there is more evidence to show the instability of the reigning Champions League champions. With 2 losses after 4 matches, Los Blancos will certainly have a hard time if they want to get through the group stage this year.
Real Madrid's performance against Milan was reminiscent of their 5-2 comeback win over Dortmund two weeks ago. But the similarities are all bad. Los Blancos had a disappointing first 45 minutes, playing disjointedly and falling 2-1 behind. The key was that they did not have the same resistance as in the win over Dortmund.
Coach Ancelotti tried every way, making 5 substitutions. He brought on Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Diaz, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo and Fran Garcia in the second half in an attempt to revive the team. However, that only added to the chaos.
By the end of the match, Real Madrid had created many opportunities - 23 shots, 10 of which were on target and an xG (expected goal) of 2.44. However, in the end they only scored 1 goal.
There are still times when it seems like the "White Vultures" will successfully reverse the situation. Antonio Rudiger scored a goal in the second half but was disallowed for offside. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan also made a close-range save from Diaz's header. But overall, this was a night to forget for Real Madrid.
There were funny, unreasonable shots from close range from talented players like Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham. Meanwhile, Mbappe missed one chance after another. The Frenchman finished the match with 8 shots, but only 3 of them were on target and his xG was 0.54.
This is a team with Vinicius and Mbappe up front, Bellingham and Federico Valverde in midfield, Rudiger and Eder Militao in defence. These names are all excellent players. Their performance, at least this season, is the opposite. And on the touchline, the pressure is mounting on Ancelotti.
Los Blancos' performances in the Champions League this season have been unconvincing and to different degrees. Against Stuttgart, they needed late goals from Rudiger and Endrick to win 3-1. At Lille, they lost 1-0, having missed several chances.
The 5-2 comeback against Dortmund was remarkable, fuelled by Vinicius' career- best second-half performance. However, that came after a difficult first 45 minutes. And now another forgettable loss to Milan.
"We should be worried because the team is not playing well. We have to be more solid, more compact. We have conceded many goals," Ancelotti said after the loss to Milan.
