Real Madrid suffered a shock defeat in the Champions League on Wednesday as a Jonathan David penalty just before half-time gave French club Lille victory at home.
Canada striker David converted from the spot in first-half stoppage time and Lille held on for the victory they deserved for an outstanding performance before a sell-out 50,000 crowd at the Stade Pierre-Mauroy.
Real –- with Kylian Mbappe only appearing as a substitute on his return after a thigh injury — were well short of the form which brought them a 15th European Cup triumph last season.
That ultimately may not matter much for Carlo Ancelotti’s side, who beat Stuttgart 3-1 at home two weeks ago and who saw a 36-game unbeaten run stretching back to January come to an end here.
The new 36-team Champions League format provides margin for error, especially for the continent’s biggest clubs, with everyone now playing eight games instead of six previously.
Real’s upcoming fixtures could be tough, with a repeat of last season’s final against Borussia Dortmund next and AC Milan and Liverpool to follow.
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