Real Madrid’s impressive 36-match unbeaten run in the UEFA Champions League came to an abrupt end on Wednesday, as they suffered a stunning 1-0 defeat at the hands of Ligue 1 side Lille. The loss marked the holders’ first Champions League defeat since May 2023 and left head coach Carlo Ancelotti calling for improvements.
The Italian manager was forthright in his assessment, acknowledging that Lille deserved the victory. “The opponent played better, and deserved to win,” Ancelotti conceded. “In terms of duels, intensity, consistency. We have to learn what we have to improve, which is quite obvious, it isn’t very complicated.”
Jonathan David’s penalty kick proved to be the decisive factor, securing a historic victory for Lille. Despite the introduction of Kylian Mbappe in the second half, Real Madrid struggled to find their rhythm and create scoring opportunities. The French forward’s return from a thigh injury was expected to boost the team’s attacking prowess, but it wasn’t enough to overcome Lille’s determined defense.
“Today everything was quite bad. We were bad with the ball. It was hard for us to win the ball back. It was hard for us to transition. We needed to be more aggressive,” Ancelotti analyzed. “Our possession of the ball was quite slow, with few ideas. We have forwards who need to play more vertically. If it’s hard for you to control the ball, and it gets to the forwards slowly, it’s a problem.”
The defeat marked a reality check for Real Madrid, who had been on an impressive run since their 4-0 defeat to Manchester City in May 2023. With upcoming matches against Borussia Dortmund, AC Milan, and Liverpool, Ancelotti’s team faces a challenging road ahead.
“The sadness comes from the feeling of the team, that it wasn’t a good game,” Ancelotti added. “It wasn’t a good night, we shouldn’t look for excuses, we have to improve. I’m very honest. Criticism for today’s game is fair, correct, we have to accept it.”
Ancelotti’s willingness to accept criticism and acknowledge areas for improvement demonstrates his commitment to getting Real Madrid back on track. The team’s lackluster performance raised concerns about their ability to compete against top-tier opponents.
On a positive note, Real Madrid’s Endrick made history by becoming the youngest player to start a Champions League game for the club, breaking Raul’s record at just 18 years and 73 days old.
“It’s an incredible feeling,” Endrick shared. “I’m at the biggest club in the world. It’s hard to play from the start. It’s very important for me, I’m very happy because of that, but not with the defeat.”
Lille’s head coach Bruno Genesio was ecstatic with his team’s performance, praising their preparation and execution.
“I’m delighted that my staff and I prepared well for the match and that our players did exactly what was expected of them,” Genesio said. “I think we had a very good first half. We were able to defend well but also attack well and cause this team problems. And then in the second half, we showed a lot of solidarity and, of course, talent in goal, which enabled us to keep our goal intact.”
The victory marked a significant turnaround for Lille, who had started their Champions League campaign with a disappointing 2-0 defeat to Sporting Lisbon.
“So there you have it, a great, great, great performance from everyone. It’s a great reward for the club and our supporters. We are very proud,” Genesio concluded.
Lille’s win serves as a reminder that the UEFA Champions League is full of surprises, and no team can take their position for granted. Real Madrid’s defeat will undoubtedly spark intense scrutiny and speculation about the team’s strategy and player selection.
As the competition heats up, Real Madrid will need to regroup and refocus to maintain their status as Champions League holders. Ancelotti’s experience and tactical acumen will be crucial in navigating the challenges ahead.
The question on everyone’s mind is: Can Real Madrid bounce back from this setback and reclaim their dominance in the Champions League? Only time will tell.
In the meantime, Lille’s triumph will be celebrated as a testament to the team’s resilience and determination. Their victory serves as a reminder that, in football, anything can happen on any given day.
