AC Milan handed Real Madrid their first home loss of this UEFA Champions League season at the Santiago Bernabéu, winning 3-1 with goals from Malick Thiaw, Álvaro Morata, and Tijani Reijnders. Vinícius Jr. scored the lone goal for Ancelotti’s side.

All the bad signs of a season without football were confirmed with Real Madrid’s second consecutive loss at the Santiago Bernabéu. They were thrashed by Barcelona in the league classic, and there was an alarming weakness when a reaction was expected in Europe against a Milan team that exploited the defensive shortcomings of a blocked squad that Carlo Ancelotti can't seem to fix.

The European champions sit 17th in the new Champions League. This is the opposite of the turning point Ancelotti hoped for after the blow of the classic. They've conceded up to 40 shots in their last three matches at the Bernabéu and nine goals. This is a team lacking intensity that isn’t capitalizing on the offensive potential of what are considered some of the best players in the world. They're entering a tough phase without significant consequences given the timing in the season.

Right now, any moderately strong opponent, even a struggling Milan in Italy, can hurt Real Madrid. They look nervous, permissive, and without defensive intensity, allowing any team to play without feeling the pressure. They committed only three fouls in the first half, with two glaring mistakes from Tchouaméni that tested the patience of the Bernabéu crowd.

Again, they were forced to come from behind in Europe—a repeated chapter. There will come a time when the Bernabéu grows weary of having to carry the team. Ancelotti was hoping for a strong response from a well-rested squad after the humiliating defeat at home. That reaction didn’t come because they’ve become so flimsy. Just when it seemed they were ramping up their effort, seeing Mbappé chase down a play, Bellingham making a steal, or Fede Valverde's work rate, a lapse in concentration undid everything.

It was Tchouaméni who made the mistake during a corner kick, and Militao was late in covering. Thiaw easily scored at the near post, striking a blow to Madrid’s hopes of showcasing a game that just isn’t happening. Ancelotti still can’t find the right formula, and it’s been too many matches. They were punished on the right side, where they reinforced with Fede Valverde helping Lucas Vázquez, who was overpowered by Leao and Theo’s runs.

Soon, Real Madrid’s weak side was exposed with Theo Hernández’s first run, which Lunin managed to stop. But he couldn’t do anything when Thiaw scored with a header from a corner. Once again, the stage was set for a European comeback at the Bernabéu. Tchouaméni, feeling the pressure, made a through pass to Mbappé, who delivered a quality dribble and a powerful shot that Maignan brilliantly saved.

There were high hopes for Vinícius to shine after the Ballon d'Or buzz. Milan, defensively weak, seemed like the perfect victim. Paulo Fonseca set up with a five-man defense, and the plan worked until 'Vini' was brought down by Emerson in a play protested by the entire Italian side. The referee hesitated but eventually awarded the penalty. The Brazilian didn’t hesitate, executing the best penalty he’s taken, with a pause and a soft touch into the net.

The first step was taken, but doubts lingered. Milan felt comfortable with every possession, and Lunin shone with a stunning save, stepping up like Courtois to deny Reijnders' precise shot. Once again, Lunin was left impotent after a play initiated by Tchouaméni, who, after a powerful shot from Leao, was turned by Militao when Morata, the most alert to the play, tapped in the rebound, making Real Madrid his favorite victim—the team he’s scored against the most in his career.

A final attempt from Mbappé ended in frustration as Maignan denied him, marking the last effort of the first half before the second half's disappointment. There was never an atmosphere of comeback due to the bad vibes coming from the Madrid players on the pitch. They looked blocked, generating no offensive danger as a team, only from individual efforts that failed to find the net.

In the second half, they were again inferior to their opponent, unable to impose their physicality or their usual capacity to react after setbacks in the Champions League. Vinícius had a weak shot at the start, further fueling the sense of vulnerability as they trembled with every run from Leao.

Once more, Lunin saved the day with a highlight reel stop on Leao’s header from an Emerson cross. There was weakness on both flanks and a lack of marking from the center-backs. Mbappé was again impotent, frustrated as a striker with desperate shots that didn’t find the goal. Meanwhile, Bellingham was visibly anxious with every attempt, sending the clearest chance into the stands just as the decisive moment arrived.

Morata had already hit the crossbar with a backheel from a corner when Leao exploded with power, brushing off Militao’s attempt to slow him down, overshadowing Lucas in the race and highlighting the need to hit the market to cover Carvajal’s absence. Reijnders struck Lunin and marked the worst moment for Real Madrid in years. This time, there was no space for heroics, and even a goal from Rüdiger was disallowed. The champions are left bruised in their pride.

This result bumps AC Milan up to 18th place in the overall Champions League standings with six points, while Real Madrid drops to 17th with the same points. After their El Clásico defeat, Ancelotti’s squad now suffers back-to-back home losses.