Real Madrid, AC Milan highlights, Carlo Ancelotti future, analysis, every goal from matchday 4

0
The unthinkable is now being spoken about as a distinct possibility after Champions League holders Real Madrid were humbled 3-1 at home by AC Milan on Wednesday (AEDT).

The Kings of Europe have won an incredible 15 titles - more than double the tally of next best Milan who have seven.

Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti alone has five Champions League coaching titles to his name, as well as winning two with Milan as a player.

Advertisement

Watch every match of the 2024-25 UEFA Champions League, Europa League and Conference League, streaming ad free, live and on demand on Stan Sport

Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid holds the Champions League trophy in 2014. Getty

'Don Carlo' won three of those trophies while managing Madrid after claiming two more in charge of Milan.

Yet the iconic 65-year-old - with the famous cocked eyebrow and love of a victory cigar - is now under pressure to hold his job.

Madrid sit 17th of 36 teams in the new European format with two wins and two losses and will almost certainly slump further after Thursday's (AEDT) round of games.

READ MORE: Titans player in the crosshairs over bet slip photo

READ MORE: How trainers 'got it terribly wrong' with shock Cup winner

READ MORE: 'Tragic': Lightning strike kills player during game

'Los Blancos' are also second in La Liga - a whopping nine points behind arch-rivals Barcelona.

"If you can hear the music, they've turned it up extra loud tonight to drown out the noise of all the whistles and the boos and the jeers that have been coming from the crowd," Spanish expert Semra Hunter told Stan Sport from a seething Bernabeu.

"I haven't seen something like that in quite a long time. In fact, I wouldn't at all be surprised if Florentino Perez, the president of this club, is already down in the dressing room, waiting for the team to have the right word with them.

Carlo Ancelotti of Real Madrid at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. Getty

"And to be honest with you, when I see these things happen, they're usually the signs of an impending implosion. Florentino Perez is a very trigger happy man. He doesn't have a lot of patience, so whether Carlo comes out of this unscathed or alive honestly, I think, is very much a real question right now...

"It's been blow after blow for Real Madrid, for the fans and probably for the board as well, and who I think will be very quick to grab the phone now and maybe make some phone calls to see who might be available in the next coming days, if things don't turn around.

"I would love to be a fly on the wall in the dressing room right now."

USA star Christian Pulisic sent in a corner for Malick Thiaw to head Milan into an early lead, ensuring Madrid trailed in a third straight game in the Champions League this season.

Madrid had already lost to surprise team Lille in their second game.

Vinicius Jr equalised from the penalty spot in the 23rd minute after he'd been tripped, but Alvaro Morata pounced on the rebound after Andriy Lunin saved Rafael Leao's shot to restore the visitors' lead against his former club.

Morata had already been given a hostile reception from the home fans, who evidently remember the goal he scored to take Juventus through to the 2015 final at their team's expense.

Tijjani Reijnders scored Milan's third goal as the home fans made their frustrations known.

"The last two defeats are inexplicable. We have to analyse and react quickly," Lunin said, referring to Madrid's 4-0 loss to Barcelona in its previous La Liga game.

It's the first time since 2009 that Madrid has lost two successive games at home with at least three goals conceded in each.

"We have to get back on track," Lunin said.

Former Socceroos captain Craig Foster agreed that Ancelotti was under genuine pressure despite holding claims to being the greatest football manager of all time.

"Not today, I don't think. But if they lose a couple more, then I think it's beyond possible to probably likely (losing his job)," Foster told Stan Sport.

"The thing about Perez is it reminds me a bit of the old (Chelsea owner Roman) Abramovich (approach) and that is that they're very quick to change coaches, no patience, and there's no excuse making whatsoever. And that doesn't always work for all clubs.

"But it has worked for this club because the idea is that the standards are so extremely high, it doesn't matter.

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti celebrates with his players. Twitter

"Carlo, yes, he won last season... but he knows exactly what the expectations are. So he'll know that they're in deep trouble.

"One of the worst things about today was the body language. You saw (Jude) Bellingham go off, kicking things.

"And so you can see that it's not just that the play is breaking down.

Kylian Mbappe of Real Madrid looks dejected. Getty

"Something actually is very, very wrong inside and the big change this season has been bringing (Kylian) Mbappe into that change room. And I think it's obvious that has upset the balance and it's not going well."

Goalkeeping great Mark Bosnich agreed that Mbappe's arrival from Paris Saint-Germain had "upset the apple cart" and believed Ancelotti could be sacked if the rot continued against Champions League leaders Liverpool on November 28 (AEDT).

"If they get beaten heavily at Anfield I can't see him staying, regardless of the fact that he's reigning European champion," he said.

Defence has been a problem for Madrid, who have conceded 10 goals in their last four matches.

"We need to be worried, we are not showing the best version of ourselves," Ancelotti said.

"We are not compact as a team and we need to change that. We lack order in the team and, as a result, we're conceding too many goals."

"It's normal to be worried in this situation. We'll endure long nights, but we have to work on improving things and find that solidness that we've have for so long and that now we don't have it."

The attack also faltered, with Mbappe again failing to click with teammates Vinicius and Rodrygo up front.

"The issue is nothing to do with Vinicius and Mbappe, or whether they've struck up an understanding," Ancelotti said.

"It's the ease with which the rival gets close to our goalmouth in dangerous situations. We have to work much more tightly together as a team in big moments. Right now we are incapable of showing an effective work ethic."

Click here to read article

Related Articles