Three takeaways for Carlo Ancelotti from Real Madrid 1-3 AC Milan | OneFootball

Real Madrid were battered at the Santiago Bernabeu once again last night, this time by AC Milan, thus recording their second straight defeat at home.

The Italians were in complete control of the proceedings for the large phases of the game and created a significantly more practical threat on goal.

Goals from Alvaro Morata, Tijjani Reijnders and Malick Thiaw gave the hosts a three-goal lead while Real Madrid only scored once from the penalty spot. Had it not been for Andriy Lunin’s extraordinary saves, however, the scoreline could have been more humiliating.

At this point, Los Blancos have conceded nine goals in their last three games at the Santiago Bernabeu and are at the lowest point they have been in a long time.

Madrid Universal brings you three takeaways from Real Madrid 1-3 AC Milan.

Appallingly poor

Taking to the field after nine days, Real Madrid were expected to turn up big time against AC Milan last night. After all, they were said to be fuming with their poor results and desperate to turn their situation around.

Yet, they failed at their objective massively and were appallingly poor last night. Not only were Real Madrid defeated but blown away by the Italians who have been average, at best, this season.

The Rossoneri have struggled in both the Serie A and the UEFA Champions League this term, and for Real Madrid to look so poor against an out-of-form team only goes to show how desolate they are themselves.

Problems reigned all over the field for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, and if the manager hoped for his tactical tweak to work magic, it did not in any measure.

The defensive pairing of Antonio Rudiger and Eder Militao was all over the place with too much space left between and behind them, regularly caught on the break and out of position.

The full-backs did not help with their off nights either. Lucas Vazquez endured a horror outing as he struggled to keep up with Rafael Leao who single-handedly opened up Los Blancos’ defence time and time again. Christian Pulisic, meanwhile, tormented Ferland Mendy on the left.

Aurelien Tchouameni was booed by the fans in the stands as he again looked largely unconvincing with his distribution and reading of the game. The Merengues did not control the middle of the park in any measure last night and thus were the ones under pressure.

The lack of a creative passer, the stagnation off the ball, the absence of any pressing structure out of possession and the disharmony between the forwards – the list of problems for Real Madrid goes on and on.

The Mbappe conundrum

Another no-show. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

All the aforementioned problems aside, Real Madrid’s biggest enemy is turning out to be none other than Kylian Mbappe.

Indeed, the player deserves some cushion in his first year at the club but making rookie errors for a player of his stature is completely unacceptable.

The Frenchman arrived in Madrid hoping to elevate the UCL winners to a new level but has only destroyed the team’s structure after coming in, and Ancelotti has his hands tied over finding balance once more.

For starters, Mbappe looked unconvincing in front of goal last night. Stats may show a decent number of shots and attacking forays, but he did not test the goalkeeper enough.

Apart from his finishing woes, however, the Frenchman simply lacked any form of intent to help get the team back into the game. He did not make any runs into the box, did not get into attacking positions to get onto the end of crosses and simply was uninvolved in the buildup.

Off the ball, he continues to offer little support in winning the ball back and it is clear that his arrival has destabilised the team’s pressing structure. After all, removing the hard-working Rodrygo Goes for Mbappe who offers no defensive support is now weighing costly.

Into unfamiliar territory

Real Madrid have historically dominated the UEFA Champions League like none other, and the 15 titles to their name is a testament to the same.

For the first time, however, Real Madrid face an uphill battle to even qualify for the knockouts. If their form continues the same way, they may well not make it out of the league stage.

Halfway through the league stage, Los Blancos have won two and lost two games after last night’s result and sit in 17th place on the table. They could well fall lower after teams play their game in hand later tonight.

Four games remain in the league stage and the route ahead only gets more challenging for the men in white.

Their next game in the UCL is against Liverpool at Anfield. The Merseyside giants are the only team with a perfect record in the European competition and are in red-hot form. Should Real Madrid’s form continue, winning at Anfield is close to impossible.

After that, Ancelotti’s men take on Atalanta away from home in what will again be a real test of their fortitude. Gian Piero Gasperini’s men, after all, are very difficult to break down defensively and have in-form attackers including Ademola Lookman.

Real Madrid, thus, are in unfamiliar territory in the UCL and could well end up fighting for survival by match day 6. If they are to avoid it, a lot must change, and now.