AC Milan Shocks Defending Champions Real Madrid with 3-1 Win in Group Stage

Defending Champions League winners Real Madrid were defeated 3-1 at home by AC Milan on Tuesday, with French star Kylian Mbappe failing to score once again. The 25-year-old, who is the captain of France, has netted only once in his last six appearances for Madrid across all competitions, a run that includes three defeats for the club....(CONTINUE READING)

AC Milan took the lead early when Malick Thiaw scored with a header at the near post. Real Madrid equalized through Vinicius Junior, who calmly converted a penalty after being fouled by Emerson Royal. However, former Madrid forward Alvaro Morata put Milan back in front before halftime, and Tijjani Reijnders sealed the win with a third goal in the second half.

Madrid’s struggles have been compounded by their heavy 4-0 loss to Barcelona in late October, followed by the cancellation of their La Liga match against Valencia due to severe flooding in eastern Spain. Prior to the match, both teams wore “We are all Valencia” t-shirts and observed a minute of silence in solidarity with the victims, with a large Valencia regional flag displayed in the stands.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti, a two-time Champions League winner with Milan both as a player and coach, made a single change to the team that lost the Clasico, bringing in Luka Modric in place of Eduardo Camavinga.Madrid fell behind early in the 12th minute when Thiaw scored from a corner, but the hosts quickly responded. Mbappe forced a save from Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan, and Vinicius won a penalty after being fouled by Royal.

The Brazilian forward then converted the penalty with a delicate Panenka.Milan regained the lead in the 39th minute when Morata scored after a rebound from a saved shot by Lunin, Madrid’s goalkeeper. Mbappe had a chance to level the score before the break, but his shot was saved by Maignan.At halftime, Ancelotti made two changes, introducing Camavinga and Brahim Diaz to increase Madrid’s attacking intensity.

Lunin made a remarkable save from a header by Leao, but the Portuguese forward soon made an impact, setting up Reijnders for Milan’s third goal in the 73rd minute after a brilliant solo run.Madrid thought they had pulled a goal back when Antonio Rudiger scored, but the effort was ruled offside. Maignan then denied Diaz with a crucial save, effectively ending any hopes of a Madrid comeback.With two losses in their last four Champions League matches, Real Madrid now sit in 17th place in their group, just above Milan.