MADRID – Ten days after the 0-4 defeat El ClassicReal Madrid didn't just need to beat AC Milan on Tuesday, they needed a clear win. There was a need to prove that this team was slowly working together, that coach Carlo Ancelotti had the answers and that the new project led by Kylian Mbappé was heading in the right direction.

Instead, Tuesday's 3-1 defeat at the Santiago Bernabeu was more of the same: further evidence that something has gone wrong for the Spanish and European champions, and another indication that the kings of Europe may be struggling unthinkably to advance. League phase with 36 teams after two defeats in four games.

Madrid's performance against Milan was reminiscent of what we saw in the 5-2 comeback win against Borussia Dortmund two weeks ago. But there were only the bad parts and nothing good. There was another disappointing, disjointed first half, going down 2-1. But this time there was no spirited, Vinícius Júnior-inspired comeback in the second half that led to victory.

Instead, the night got worse and worse. Ancelotti tried everything and made five substitutions – bringing on Eduardo Camavinga, Brahim Díaz, Dani Ceballos, Rodrygo and Fran García in the second half – to bring the team back to life. It only added to the confusion. In the end, Madrid had created plenty of chances – 23 shots, 10 of which were on target – and an xG (expected goals) of 2.44, but only one goal was scored.

There were moments when it looked like a different result was possible, one that might have sparked another turnaround in Madrid. A goal by Antonio Rüdiger in the second half – which would have made it 2-3 with 10 minutes left – was disallowed for offside. Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan parried Diaz's header late and from close range. But overall this was a night to forget for Madrid.

Nothing really worked out. There were wild, almost comical misses from talented players like Luka Modric and Jude Bellingham. There was Mbappé, who missed one opportunity after another. He finished the game with eight shots, only three of which were on target, and an xG of 0.54. There was frustration among Madrid fans, particularly at individual performances, as out-of-form midfielder Aurélien Tchouaméni was booed at half-time.

Should it really be that hard? This is a team with Vinícius and Mbappé in attack, Bellingham and Federico Valverde in midfield, Rüdiger and Éder Militão in defense. The names are elite. The team performance, at least this season, is absolutely not. And the pressure on Ancelotti is growing on the sidelines.

Madrid's performances in the Champions League this season have all been unconvincing to varying degrees. Against VfB Stuttgart they needed late goals from Rüdiger and Endrick to secure a 3-1 win. In Lille they lost 1-0 after wasting numerous chances. The 5-2 comeback against Dortmund was thrilling, fueled by a career-best second-half performance from Vinicius, but it came after an equally unsettling first half.

It is hard to ignore the impact that Mbappé's long-awaited arrival has had on this team, and its knock-on effect, the uncertainty it has created around the positioning and status of Vinicius and Bellingham. Vinicius still played the lead role for most of this season. Here he won, scoring a 'Panenka' penalty that made it 1-1 and brought Madrid back into the game after Malick Thiaw's header had given Milan the lead.

Bellingham's season so far has been amazing. His all-round game wasn't bad. But by November 5, 2023, in his debut season, he had scored 13 goals for Real Madrid. He has none this campaign. Ancelotti appears unsure what to do with Bellingham and on Tuesday moved him back to the left midfield spot he held for most of last season after playing on the right in recent weeks , also against Barcelona. Bellingham's last goal for his club came 176 days ago.

Madrid's defense, one of their great strengths last season, is now porous. They have scored 10 goals in the last four games. Here Andriy Lunin's goal was repeatedly left unprotected, which was as much due to a wide open midfield as to the defense. Milan's Rafael Leão in particular had fun against substitute right-back Lucas Vázquez.

And then there was Álvaro Morata, who played the role of nemesis to the Bernabéu crowd, scoring against his former team – his seventh against Madrid, having previously scored against Juventus and Atletico Madrid – to ensure that Milan took the lead -1 at the break. There was a hint of a smile after his goal, a finger on his lips, before a more traditional non-celebration against a former club. Morata worked hard for Milan and was an all-round center forward, a role Mbappé has never enjoyed.

Things could have been worse for Madrid. Lunin made a full-strength save against Leão in the 52nd minute. While Madrid looked for an equalizer and created chances, Milan were just as dangerous on the counterattack. Tijjani Reijnders' goal in the 73rd minute made it 3-1 and a comeback was unlikely.

Madrid now have to wait a long month to be able to play in the Champions League again, against Premier League leaders Liverpool. Before that there is an international break and games with Osasuna and Leganés in LaLiga. Winnable games or potential banana skins? By the time they travel to Anfield, the pressure on the team and their manager could reach boiling point.