Beaten at home by Milan this Tuesday in the Champions League, far away in the standings, Real Madrid’s misfortunes make the news this Wednesday.
“0-4 and now this”Marca title after Real Madrid’s harsh home setback against Milan (1-3) on the 4th matchday of the Champions League, before underlining: “The Merengue repeats the mistakes of the Clasico in another mediocre match. » And to explain: «Morata (author of Milan’s 2nd goal) puts Madrid in crisis. The Spanish striker led a strong Lombard team, taking advantage of Bianco’s weakness on the right flank. Ancelotti’s beloved Milan has put the Italian coach in the most delicate situation since his return to the white bench. The Lombard team, which never stops replenishing supplies, emerged from a frayed Madrid, without play or physical depth, where everyone is below their level. Álvaro Morata brought a series of fresh and clear ideas, where they defend from first to last. Nowadays you can’t afford to have two players leave the field when the opponent has the ball. Or go to Europe without a right back. The match with the most European Cups on grass was already a mess for Real…”
“Real crisis”Mundo Deportivo insists. “Real Madrid, after the defeat against Barça, lost against Milan in the European classic. Bad match for the Whites, who once again generate many doubts and are booed by the Bernabeu. Real Madrid lost the Clasico de Liga to Barcelona at the Bernabeu and fell in the European classic to Milan. The worst thing for the Merengue is not so much the defeat but the bad image left in the two duels. It was a team that generates many doubts, both in defense and in attack, Vinicius and Mbappé are not the attackers who make the difference. All this was seen against Barça and was repeated against Milan who were able to exploit the many Juventus weaknesses to conquer the Bernabeu. A knockout that leaves White on the brink of crisis, if it isn’t already there. »
AS extends: “Real Madrid, who failed in the Clasico, repeated the disaster against Milan. Classics heal poorly. Real Madrid found themselves with a team whose shortcomings went from cyclical to structural at full speed. They have lost an organizer, Kroos, and they are losing their recoverer, Tchouameni. Bellingham extends its decline, the central defenders struggle, Courtois’ absence drags on, Mbappé ruins his good
In Italy, the Gazzetta dello Sport is on fire: “Galactic Milan. In the garden of the Bernabeu, which in ’89 showed the world the beauty of an immortal Milan (in the return semi-finals of C1)perhaps a much more human devil was born who showed a strong soul and probably a future. If this is the turning point of the season, the next performances will tell but it is certain that Milan has left Madrid with a new awareness and with a serious claim on the Champions League round of 16. He beat the reigning champions Real Madrid 3-1, with all the credit, always managing the match with confidence and maturity. This is only the second time in its glorious history that the Devil has conquered the Bernabeu in an official match. In 2009 only Leonardo succeeded, not Sacchi, not the other patriarchs.
In Switzerland, Le Matin summarizes: “Real Madrid, who had been unbeaten at home in the Champions League since April 2022, logically lost 3-1, their second consecutive home defeat after the spanking they received against Barcelona during the Clasico. »
In England, the Guardian highlights: “Álvaro Morata silences the Bernabeu and Milan takes advantage of Real Madrid’s discomfort. » And he says: “For a brief moment we wondered if it would happen again. Eight minutes from the end of the match between the clubs that have won this competition more than anyone else, and with Real Madrid trailing 3-1, Antonio Rüdiger launched what could have been a trumpet blast, a call to arms, a madness that once again takes over. about this place and paving the way for another of these wild comebacks. This time there was no return, no epic, only reality. Justice too. Rüdiger was offside and the goal was disallowed, the illusion only lasting until VAR checked, leaving Milan to slide to a richly deserved victory. » BBC Sound focuses on Kylian Mbappé’s isolation: “Real Madrid fans experienced an extremely frustrating evening, seeing Kylian Mbappé, who has scored just one goal in six games, continue to struggle in front of goal. The 25-year-old preferably plays on the left wing, but Ancelotti kept Vinicius in this position, forcing Mbappe to play in a central position (…) It was the Madrid team’s first match after the defeat in the Clasico, the trip to Valencia was postponed due to the floods that hit Spain. »
Interview between the Time.news Editor and Football Expert Dr. Antonio Rossi
Editor: Good afternoon, Dr. Rossi. Thank you for joining us today to discuss the recent Champions League match where Real Madrid faced a tough loss against AC Milan. The score was a striking 3-1. What are your first impressions of this game?
Dr. Rossi: Good afternoon! It was indeed a significant match. Real Madrid’s performance raised eyebrows, especially given their prior defeat to Barcelona. This recent loss against Milan emphasizes deeper issues within the team’s structure and strategy.
Editor: Marca described the match as a repeat of mistakes seen in their Clasico defeat. Can you elaborate on what specific areas they are struggling with?
Dr. Rossi: Absolutely. The reliance on key players like Toni Kroos and Aurelien Tchouameni is becoming evident. With Kroos absent, the team is lacking a central organizer to dictate play, while Tchouameni’s potential absence affects their defensive solidity. The defensive flanks, particularly the right side, appear frayed, which Milan exploited effectively during the game.
Editor: It seems like the team has not only lost matches but also confidence. Mundo Deportivo noted a troubling image of the team left in both encounters against Barcelona and Milan. How important is this confidence factor in football?
Dr. Rossi: Confidence is crucial in football, especially at the elite level. When players begin to doubt their abilities or the systems in place, it can lead to a cycle of poor performances. Real Madrid looks disjointed in both attack and defense, which is alarming. The star players, including Vinicius and Mbappé, aren’t performing to their potential, adding to the collective uncertainty.
Editor: Speaking of their star players, AS mentioned structural shortcomings that have shifted from cyclical to more permanent. What does this imply for Real Madrid’s strategy moving forward?
Dr. Rossi: It suggests a need for a strategic overhaul. The club may need to consider re-evaluating their transfers, focusing on bringing in players who can fill the gaps left by key figures. Moreover, they might want to rethink their tactical approach—perhaps shifting formations or playing styles that better utilize their assets.
Editor: On the flip side, how would you rate AC Milan’s performance? They played confidently and managed the game well. What do you think this victory means for their season?
Dr. Rossi: Milan’s performance was nothing short of impressive. They showed not just skill, but a maturity that belied their historical struggles at the Bernabeu. This victory could be a turning point for their season, giving them momentum and belief for future matches, especially with the Champions League round of 16 approaching. They’ve demonstrated they can compete at the highest level.
Editor: The Gazzetta dello Sport called Milan’s victory “Galactic”. Does this success enhance Milan’s profile as a contender in the Champions League this year?
Dr. Rossi: Definitely. Beating Real Madrid, the reigning champions, at their own ground is a significant achievement. It positions Milan as serious contenders and boosts their credibility on an international stage. It’s a reminder of their historic prowess in Europe, and if they can build on this success, they could go far in the tournament.
Editor: Lastly, facing a potential crisis, what should Real Madrid’s management do to address these issues quickly?
Dr. Rossi: First, immediate tactical adjustments are necessary—perhaps introducing younger players who bring fresh energy. Secondly, a thorough assessment of the current squad and potential transfers in the January window could help. Lastly, investing in mental conditioning and team cohesion sessions might restore their confidence and unity. After all, part of being a great club is knowing how to navigate through tough times.
Editor: Thank you, Dr. Rossi, for your insightful analysis. It will be interesting to see how both teams navigate their paths after this pivotal encounter.
Dr. Rossi: Thank you for having me! Football is full of surprises, and I’m excited to see how this season unfolds.