UEFA Champions League Round 2: Real Madrid Must Learn to Defend the Lead, Liverpool's Curious Struggles Against Italian Sides

The UEFA Champions League is back in action with its second round of group-stage matches on October 3. Two key matches are drawing significant attention, with Real Madrid traveling to Lille and Liverpool hosting Bologna. Real Madrid’s game comes on the heels of a frustrating La Liga draw against Atlético Madrid, where their failure to hold onto a lead has raised questions about their defensive mindset. Meanwhile, Liverpool’s matchup against an Italian side continues to bring out an odd trend in their performances, as the Reds often struggle against Italian teams that don't belong to the traditional top three.

Lille vs Real Madrid – Mbappé Returns to Rescue?

Lille’s Champions League campaign began on a sour note with a 2-0 loss to Sporting CP in Lisbon, making them the only team from Europe’s "Big Five" leagues to lose in the opening round. The match highlighted the French side’s vulnerability, as they were completely outplayed from the opening whistle, and their defense crumbled after 38 minutes. Sporting’s Swedish striker Viktor Gyökeres found space inside the box to calmly slot home the opener, and two minutes later, Lille’s night took a turn for the worse when midfielder Angel Gomes was controversially sent off.

The red card was particularly harsh, as Gomes appeared to be taken down by Gyökeres in the midfield during a tussle for the ball. Despite being smaller in stature at 1.68 meters, Gomes was penalized for the clash, even though he seemed to be the one who got caught in Gyökeres' more robust and physical play. Down to 10 men, Lille had no answer to Sporting’s dominance, and the Portuguese side added a second goal early in the second half to secure all three points.

Real Madrid, meanwhile, began their Champions League journey with a commanding 3-1 victory over Stuttgart. The Spanish giants showcased their trademark flair and cohesion, much to the delight of their fans. However, their momentum took a hit in La Liga when they were held to a 1-1 draw by city rivals Atlético Madrid, missing a golden opportunity to close the gap on Barcelona, who had lost earlier in the week.

In the Madrid derby, Real took the lead through Éder Militão’s goal off a set piece in the second half. But Carlo Ancelotti’s decision-making in the closing stages came under fire, particularly his substitutions. With five minutes remaining in regular time, Ancelotti introduced three players, none of whom were known for their defensive prowess, as if Real Madrid were still pushing for a second goal rather than protecting their slim lead. That boldness backfired when Ángel Correa found space behind the defense to level the match for Atlético in the dying minutes. It was a moment of overconfidence from Ancelotti that cost his team dearly, and the Italian tactician will need to address this if Real Madrid are to make a deep run in the Champions League.

One of the most intriguing storylines ahead of the Lille match is the unexpected return of Kylian Mbappé. The French superstar was initially expected to be out until mid-October due to an injury, but he has miraculously made it back in time to be included in the squad for this crucial encounter. With Mbappé’s inclusion, Real Madrid’s attack will be bolstered, though it remains to be seen how sharp he will be after his time on the sidelines. Ancelotti’s men are likely to dominate possession and control the game, but Lille’s chances of breaching Real Madrid’s defense appear slim, especially after their lackluster performance in the opener.

Madrid’s fans will be hoping their team has learned the lesson from their recent draw with Atlético—that sometimes, especially in European football, holding onto a lead requires a more pragmatic approach rather than continually pushing for more.

Liverpool vs Bologna – A New Italian Challenge

Liverpool’s last Champions League outing saw them come from behind to secure a dramatic 3-1 victory over AC Milan at San Siro. Despite falling behind early, the Reds responded in typical fashion, with defenders Virgil van Dijk and Ibrahima Konaté inspiring the comeback. Hungarian playmaker Dominik Szoboszlai, a Milan fan growing up, added a third goal to seal the win. The only downside for Milan fans was seeing one of their own put in a stellar performance for the opposition, particularly as Szoboszlai was once a player their club had been linked with.

While Liverpool’s attacking unit grabbed the headlines, Mohamed Salah was unlucky not to add to the scoreline, as he twice struck the woodwork. The Reds' domination was so thorough that the 3-1 scoreline seemed flattering to Milan, who struggled to cope with the intensity and tactical discipline of Jürgen Klopp’s side. With that win, Liverpool continued their fine start to the season, and their recent surge in form was highlighted by Manchester City’s slip-up in the Premier League, which allowed the Merseyside outfit to climb to the top of the table.

However, as Liverpool gears up to face Bologna, they will be wary of a long-standing trend that has puzzled fans and pundits alike: their difficulty when facing lesser-known Italian sides. While the Reds have enjoyed relative success against Italy’s traditional powerhouses—AC Milan, Inter, and Juventus—they have often struggled against the likes of Napoli and Atalanta, teams that have more recently risen to prominence. Now, Bologna, a mid-table Serie A side known for their defensive rigidity, presents another similar challenge.

Bologna’s first Champions League match ended in a 0-0 draw against Shakhtar Donetsk, a game in which both sides failed to break down each other’s defenses. The Italian club, like many in Serie A, relies heavily on a structured backline to keep opponents at bay. Bologna's domestic form has followed a similar pattern, with four draws in their first six matches. Last weekend, they hosted Atalanta and took the lead early in the second half, only for a red card to quickly derail their plans. Reduced to 10 men, Bologna retreated into a deep defensive block, but they couldn’t hold on as Atalanta found a late equalizer to snatch a point.

Liverpool’s past struggles against teams like Napoli and Atalanta stem from these sides’ ability to frustrate the Reds with tactical discipline and clinical counterattacks. Bologna, though lacking the firepower of those sides, may look to emulate their approach by sitting deep, soaking up pressure, and trying to hit Liverpool on the break. While Liverpool has never faced Bologna in a competitive fixture, the Italians’ defensive numbers are enough to make Klopp’s men wary of a frustrating evening at Anfield.

That said, Liverpool’s current form and their ability to create chances from all areas of the pitch suggest they will be too much for Bologna to handle. Even if Salah and Szoboszlai aren’t firing on all cylinders, Klopp has an array of attacking options at his disposal. The real concern for Liverpool will be avoiding the sense of complacency that can sometimes set in against supposedly inferior opposition. With their impressive depth and newfound confidence, they should have enough to break down Bologna’s defense and secure all three points.

Ancelotti’s Overconfidence and Klopp’s Italian Headaches

As both Real Madrid and Liverpool look to continue their winning ways in the Champions League, their respective managers face different challenges. For Ancelotti, the focus must be on shoring up a defense that has shown vulnerability when placed under late pressure. His team’s attacking prowess is unquestionable, but in knockout competitions like the Champions League, defensive discipline can be just as crucial as scoring goals. Against Lille, Real Madrid must strike the right balance between attacking flair and defensive solidity, especially with the return of their talisman, Mbappé.

On the other hand, Klopp’s main challenge will be navigating his team through the mental obstacle of facing another tricky Italian side. Bologna may not carry the same weight as the traditional Serie A giants, but their ability to frustrate opponents could test Liverpool’s patience. If the Reds can avoid underestimating their opponents and maintain their current form, they should be able to secure a vital win and move one step closer to progressing out of the group stage.

With the stakes rising in the Champions League, both matches will offer valuable lessons for their respective teams, as Real Madrid seeks to assert control at the top of their group, and Liverpool looks to cement their position as group leaders.