Milan have sprung a huge surprise in the Champions League, beating Real Madrid 3-1 at the Bernabeu this evening. This shock victory is one of Milan’s most significant in recent years, especially in the context of Real Madrid’s longstanding dominance in European competitions.
In Real's first outing since the 4-0 humbling here against Barcelona, Carlo Ancelotti's men made the worst possible start, falling behind inside a quarter of an hour through Malick Thiaw's powerful header. Thiaw’s early goal set the tone for the evening, as Milan played with a newfound confidence, clearly unfazed by the iconic Bernabeu atmosphere. The German defender’s header capitalized on a well-delivered corner, catching Real’s defense completely off guard and igniting early celebrations among Milan’s traveling fans.
Vinicius Junior’s penalty midway through the first half looked like it would kickstart another classic Los Blancos comeback, one that Real Madrid supporters have come to expect over the years. The young Brazilian’s composure from the spot momentarily leveled the score and gave Madrid the spark they needed. However, the home crowd were stunned once more when former Real striker Alvaro Morata, who spent several seasons in Madrid, put the Rossoneri back in front. Morata’s celebration was understated out of respect for his former club, but his goal nonetheless delivered a critical blow to Madrid’s confidence.
The evening’s drama continued to build as Tijjani Reijnders finished off a well-executed Milan move to double the visitors’ lead with just under 20 minutes remaining. Reijnders showcased skillful movement and precision, catching Real's defense off guard again. It was a moment of brilliance from the Milan midfielder, who has been steadily improving this season and has become an invaluable asset for coach Paulo Fonseca. His goal left the 83,000-capacity crowd in disbelief, as they watched their team falter yet again in their own stadium.
Milan could have had even more goals, as Rafael Leao was denied brilliantly by Andriy Lunin, who made a crucial save to keep Real in the game. Leao also struck the post from a corner, narrowly missing out on adding his name to the scoresheet. The Portuguese forward was relentless throughout, using his pace and skill to torment Madrid’s backline. Meanwhile, at the other end, Kylian Mbappe, who has been Real’s talisman since joining, missed a golden opportunity that could have changed the game’s momentum. Mbappe’s miss underscored the difficulties that Real faced in breaking down Milan’s disciplined defense.
Antonio Rudiger thought he had halved the arrears with eight minutes remaining when he fired home in the aftermath of a set piece. The Bernabeu erupted, but following a lengthy VAR review, the goal was chalked off for offside. The decision was met with disappointment from the Madrid faithful, who had hoped that Rudiger’s strike might inspire a last-minute rally. This overturned goal further deflated Real, as they struggled to regain control of the game.
Real kept up the pressure in the final minutes, launching wave after wave of attack. However, Paulo Fonseca’s Milan side were able to deal with it relatively comfortably, with Mike Maignan making a series of fine saves during the six minutes of injury time. The French goalkeeper showed exceptional composure, commanding his area and ensuring Milan held onto their well-deserved lead. Maignan’s performance was pivotal in securing the win, and his saves were as crucial as the goals that Milan scored.
The home side were booed and whistled off the field at halftime, and those jeers intensified tenfold when the final whistle was sounded by referee Slavko Vincic. Real suffered a second consecutive home defeat, a rare occurrence for the Spanish giants and one that left fans deeply frustrated. Many Madridistas left the stadium questioning the team’s form and Ancelotti’s strategy, as Real Madrid’s recent performances have fallen short of their usual high standards.
This excellent performance will certainly ease the pressure on Fonseca at Milan, who have had a challenging season so far. The win moves them level on points with Real in the 36-team standings, sitting just one place below due to goal difference. For Milan, this victory is not just three points but a statement of intent in the Champions League. It reflects the progress they’ve made under Fonseca, whose tactical approach seems to be taking shape.
The Rossoneri number 10, Rafael Leao, played a key role in this victory. His quick footwork and vision were instrumental in setting up the second goal, and he was a constant threat on the counter, taking full advantage of a Real Madrid defense that was run ragged all evening. Leao has been in excellent form recently, and this performance only adds to his growing reputation as one of Europe’s most exciting attackers. His duel with Lucas Vazquez was particularly entertaining, as he repeatedly exploited space and created opportunities for his teammates.
For Milan fans, this victory will be remembered as a night when their team demonstrated resilience, discipline, and skill at one of the toughest stadiums in world football. It sends a message to other European clubs that Milan are once again a force to be reckoned with on the continental stage. For Real Madrid, however, this defeat raises questions about their defensive solidity and the team’s depth, especially as they compete on multiple fronts this season. With games coming thick and fast, Ancelotti and his squad will need to regroup quickly to avoid further setbacks.
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