Real Madrid fell victim to the first major shock of this season’s Champions League as the three-time defending champion lost 1-0 at CSKA Moscow.
Nikola Vlasic, on loan at CSKA from Everton, fired the Russians in front after 65 seconds. Thirteen-time winners Real hit the woodwork three times in search of an equalizer, but despite plenty of second-half pressure the visitors, now winless in three games, could not find a way back into the match.
CSKA’s goalkeeper, Igor Akinfeev, was sent off for two yellow cards within a few seconds – both for dissent – during stoppage-time.
“Of course, [they] played at home and the quick goal helped them, but we didn’t take our chances,” said the Madrid manager, Julen Lopetegui. “We need to create scoring chances. I’m sure that sooner or later we will start scoring.”
Real, missing key players such as Sergio Ramos and Gareth Bale has now failed to score in three straight games after a promising start to life without Cristiano Ronaldo.
Madrid, who only signed Mariano Diaz to replace Cristiano Ronaldo, had 26 shots against CSKA, the most they have hit without scoring in a Champions League game since Opta began recording such data in 2003-04.
The win put CSKA top of Group G on four points, with Real and Roma sharing second spot a point behind.
