Real Madrid CF 1, AC Milan 3: Miracle at the Bernabéu

Tuesday's Champions League match exceeded all expectations. While Real Madrid were hoping for a reaction after their big loss to Barcelona, instead, they were shown their frailties in front of their own fans in their own stadium. And while Milan have struggled to play well or with any kind of consistency, Fonseca finally allowing Leão to play and starting his actual best 11 made the difference, as everyone stepped up and pulled off a 3-1 upset over the reigning Champions League holders. In a match with so much Champions League history, this made it even more spectacular, a match that was thrilling from start to finish as well. From the surprise Thiaw opener, to all the drama throughout and the final score being so convincing, this was a miracle at the Bernabéu.

This one absolutely felt like a win.

The match started off with a surprise goal in the 12th minute, a great header from Thiaw from a Pulisic cross after a corner. 1-0 Milan. This was Thiaw's first official goal for Milan, and what a time to score it. I remember his first unofficial Milan goal, because he scored it right in front of me at a friendly on the U.S. tour in 2023. The goal was a huge shock for Real Madrid, and a very pleasant surprise for Milan.

Immediately after the goal, Maignan made his first save on Mbappé. Maignan would go on to make nine saves on the night, which lead to UEFA selecting him as Player of the Match. And deservedly, so. He was so immense and made so many brilliant saves, he absolutely kept us in this match over and over and over again. 

We love you, to Thiaw.

His counterpart, Lunin, was also called into action early and often, saving a Pulisic shot in just the 18th minute, with five more saves after that. Morata earned a yellow card, apparently for dissent, in the 21st minute. Then disaster struck, as Emerson Royal fouled Vini Jr. in the penalty area, which saw Slovenian referee Vinčić award a penalty for Real Madrid. Vini Jr. stepped up to take it, and just like that, it was all level again. 1-1 all.

Lunin made an amazing save on Reijnders, then took out Thiaw when they collided as he was making another save. Vini Jr. was messing with Maignan, and I believe managed to make it safely home that night, somehow. Why anyone would mess with Mike is beyond me. He seriously boxes as part of his training, and he is not a small guy.

Maignan was kind of like this. For all 90 minutes.

The match continued to be tense and physical, with shots from both sides, and both goalkeepers giving fantastic performances. Then, in the 39th, Leão took a powerful shot that Lunin managed to save, but Morata was there to pounce on the rebound and sent it into the back of the net against his former club, 2-1 for Milan. His celebrations were subdued as an ex-player, but he seemed very happy to score there and in a big match, too. Mbappé tried to answer a few minutes later, but Maignan once again saved it.

At the half, we saw Carletto bring on Brahim Díaz. Both had received warm welcomes from the Curva Sud, who sang their hearts out all night long. They were about 5,000 strong, but in a stadium with a capacity of nearly 80,000, it was the Milan chants you could hear all night long. 

Morata was on target against his former club.

In the 52nd minute, Leão had a fantastic header from a great cross from Emerson Royal, forcing Lunin into a massive save. Even Musah had been surprised he was starting, but had a great game, an even better way to celebrate his 50th appearance for Milan. In the 70th minute, Fonseca finally made substitutions, bringing Tammy Abraham on for Morata, who had both scored and taken a beating, and also replacing Pulisic, who had an assist, with Loftus-Cheek.

That change seemed to do something, because just a few minutes later, Reijnders scored from a perfect pass from Leão to make the score 3-1 for Milan. That is Reijnders' third consecutive match he has scored in, and makes four goals in those three matches. Give that man a new contract. Five minutes later, because he just can't help himself, Fonseca subbed Leão off, replacing him with Okafor. 

Reijnders just can't stop scoring.

In the 81st minute, Real Madrid seemed to go ahead. Maignan came off his line to punch away a Rodrygo shot, and Rüdiger took advantage of an open goal (and no defenders backing Mike up,) and put the ball in the back of the net. What should have been 3-2, putting them back in the match, ended up being overruled with a VAR review and SAOT, which showed that Rüdiger, ironically, had been offside during the initial attempt. So the score remained 3-1 for Milan.

Fofana received Milan's second and final yellow card of the match just after that, for a foul on Ceballos. In a twist of fate that has seen most VAR reviews go Milan's way, in this match, it was also Real Madrid who were more heavily cautioned, with the Galacticos receiving four cards on the night. Maignan made a save on his former teammate, Brahim Díaz, and Fonseca made a couple of stoppage time substitutions in the 90+2', bringing on Pavlović for Musah, and Calabria for Emerson Royal.

Captain Theo taking the opportunity to present Mike with his POTM trophy.

When the final whistle blew, Milan had somehow managed the impossible – both a great performance and a win. After defeating the stars in their house, maybe Fonseca should have brought his Zorro mask. But while many fans were quick to embrace the previously embattled manager after only the second solid match of 14 competitive matches this season, I have not forgotten Lazio. Or Napoli. Or him making everything public after Fiorentina. Or any of his press conferences, really. 

His treatment of Leão has been despicable, he has literally cost us points, and he is not some kind of hero or tactical genius for finally letting Leão start again for the first time in four or five matches. And I was grateful when Milan fans voted Leão as their Milan MVP for this match. Doing what you should have done all the time after committing crimes against football doesn't change the fact that you are still a football criminal.

Leão always faces any challenge, and he does so with a smile on his face.

However, this victory was sweet. While it was short lived for me due to the political events of my own country that will affect the lives of so many people, this match truly was two hours of intense joy. Well, a lot of anxiety, too, but this week of all weeks, I needed this beautiful game. So I am grateful for the entire team stepping up and pulling off the miracle at the Bernabéu.

The victims of the awful floods in Valencia were not forgotten.

AC Milan Primavera Lose a Tough Battle and are Defeated 2-1 by Real Madrid CF Juvenil

Sia, the goalscorer, is consoled at the end of the intense match.

In a match that was dominated by the referee, Jacob Karlsen from Denmark, Guidi's U19 boys dropped another three points in a brutal 2-1 loss to Real Madrid. Karlsen handed out ten individual yellow cards as well as two second yellows, which led to both teams ending the match on ten men. However, Milan seemed to receive most of his card fury, being the recipients of seven of the ten yellows plus one of the players sent off.

Milan's misfortunes started before kickoff as Magni had a problem before kickoff, and had to be replaced by Tartaglia, who then conceded a penalty for the first goal. Real Madrid Juvenil scored two goals in less than ten minutes in the first half. Guidi was also forced to make an early substitution in just the 22nd, bringing on Perin for Scotti, who was injured. It was a very rough start, but Milan bravely fought back, and even dominated portions of the match. 

After the half, Tartaglia, who had replaced Magni due to injury, was injured himself, and had to be replaced by Salem Albè. Sia then scored the goal that got Milan Primavera back into the match, but then a bizarre injury occurred. Goalkeeper Colzani had a serious calf injury after distributing a ball and had to be stretchered off and replaced by Pitarella. 

And as if three injuries were not enough, Albè, who had replaced Tartaglia, was shown a second yellow and sent off in just the 67th minute. Real Madrid were down to ten men about six minutes later, and Milan battled to try to at least equalize, but were unable to convert their many chances. Highlights are available. Milan Primavera only have two points in the UEFA Youth League, so will need to get some wins in their next matches in hopes of making it to the knockout round.

This post inspired by the music of Queen's "We Are the Champions"

Our next matches are:

Campionato Primavera 1 Week 11

AC Milan Primavera vs. Cagliari Primavera

Saturday, November 9, 2024 • 11:00 CEST (5am EDT)

This match is not being televised in the U.S.

Serie A Week 11

Cagliari vs. Milan

Saturday, November 9, 2024 • 18:00 CEST (12noon EDT)

In the U.S., this match can be streamed on Paramount+,

or use a VPN to access better coverage

Serie C Week 14 

Milan Futuro vs. Arezzo

Sunday, November 10, 2024 • 15:00 CEST (9am EDT)

This match is not being televised in the U.S.