Real Madrid player ratings vs AC Milan: Kylian Mbappe has another Champions League night to forget while Lucas Vazquez and dreadful Blancos defence capitulate to Christian Pulisic-inspired Rossoneri
The defending European champions turned in a dire performance to lose their second game of the league phase
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Real Madrid’s defensive frailties were exposed once again, while their high-powered attack went quiet as AC Milan ran out 3-1 winners over the Champions League holders in the Spanish capital.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side fell victim to three well-worked goals, and could never really get anything going in the final third. Kylian Mbappe, in particular, cut a frustrated figure as his partnership with Vinicius Jr continued to run in place.
Milan enjoyed the brighter start, and were good value for their opener. Christian Pulisic set it up, providing an inch-perfect corner that Malick Thiaw headed home.
Madrid almost responded immediately, with Mbappe bursting through on goal, but Mike Maignan denied him with one of his nine saves on the night. Vinicius did, however, equalise on 23 minutes, converting from the spot after Emerson Royal recklessly brought his fellow Brazilian down in the box. Milan scored again shortly before half time, though, as Alvaro Morata turned home from close-range after Andriy Lunin parried Rafael Leao’s snapshot.
Madrid offered more attacking intent in the second half, but they left themselves frighteningly open on the break, and Milan capitalised. Leao was at the centre of it all, torching Lucas Vazquez before finding a wide open Tijjani Reijnders for a 3-1 lead. Los Blancos might have worked their way back into the game when Antonio Rudiger unleashed a fine strike into the bottom corner, but a tight VAR decision saw his goal ruled out for offside.
GOAL rates Real Madrid’s players from Santiago Bernabeu…
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Getty Images SportGoalkeeper & Defence
Andriy Lunin (5/10):
Could do nothing about any of the goals, and made a few neat saves otherwise.
Lucas Vazquez (3/10):
Poor guy! Was absolutely bombarded with raking passes into space all evening.
Eder Militao (4/10):
Perhaps should have cleared Pulisic’s corner at the near post for the openrt, and was easily moved around when Milan attacked.
Antonio Rudiger (5/10):
Got dragged out of space for the Milan third. Slow moving the ball.
Ferland Mendy (6/10):
Not much of the Milan play came down his side of the pitch, but he could have offered a bit more in attack.
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AFPMidfield
Aurelien Tchouameni (5/10):
Endured a pretty woeful first half, giving the ball away in the run up to the Milan second, and struggled throughout. Deservedly hooked at half-time.
Federico Valverde (6/10):
Moved the ball well and did some interesting things in attack, but he was caught on his heels on Milan’s second. Surprising sub at the break.
Luka Modric (6/10):
Danced around in the final third, played some clever passes, and looked the most likely to make something happen. Looked leggy after an hour, however, and was subbed.
Jude Bellingham (6/10):
Constantly made clever runs from midfield, but was really lacking in his final product – which is pretty much the story of his season.
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Getty Images SportAttack
Kylian Mbappe (5/10):
Saw a shot smartly stopped in the first half, but had little impact otherwise. Looks rather lost in this side, at times.
Vinicius Jr (6/10):
Won a penalty and then converted it. Carved out some threatening moments thereafter, but couldn’t produce the necessary magic.
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AFPSubs & Manager
Brahim Diaz (6/10):
Almost scored a late goal, but was wonderfully denied by Maignan.
Eduardo Camavinga (6/10):
Injected a bit of extra intensity into the game after coming on at half-time.
Dani Ceballos (5/10):
Went for the Hollywood pass too often, and really hould have kept the ball moving more.
Fran Garcia (6/10):
Offered a little more attacking thrust on the left wing.
Rodrygo (6/10):
Looked to make things happen, and was probably brought on too late.
Carlo Ancelotti (3/10):
Went for a Vinicius-Mbappe split striking duo, with Rodrygo benched. His Madrid side were constantly carved open on the counter, and struggled to get going in the final third. They have now dropped points against Atletico Madrid, Barcelona, Lille and Milan. A truly forgettable night.
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