Real Madrid Lose For First Time In 21 Games But Carlo Ancelotti Refuses To Blame Complacency

Real Madrid missed the chance to secure a first-place finish in Champions League Group F on Tuesday night when they lost 3-2 at RB Leipzig.

A win or a draw would have given Real an unassailable lead at the top of the group but Carlo Ancelotti's side made a nightmare start in Germany.

Real were 2-0 down inside 18 minutes after early goals from Josko Gvardiol and Christopher Nkunku.

Vinicius Junior pulled one back for Real just before half-time but Timo Werner restored Leipzig's two-goal advantage in the 81st minute.

Real scored a second consolation goal in added time when Rodrygo converted a penalty kick, after being fouled by Nkunku.

But that was not enough to prevent Real from falling to their first defeat in 21 games.

Real boss Ancelotti was disappointed with the result but happy with his players' attitude as he dismissed suggestions that complacency may have been a factor.

Ancelotti told reporters in his post-match press conference: "It wasn't because we relaxed too much. I didn't see a lack of attitude.

"It was a set-piece situation and then that made the game a lot more difficult and they could counter well.

"We did manage to get back into the match, but it wasn't to be. We were going to lose at some point and it hurts because we wanted to win, but we can still finish first in the group.

"Sometimes you learn more from one defeat than from 10 wins in a row."

Real remain in charge of their own destiny despite Tuesday's defeat.

The reigning champions will be guaranteed to finish first in their group if they win at home to Celtic on November 2.

Real could possibly lose to Celtic and still finish first, but only if Leipzig fail to win at Shakhtar Donetsk.

Carlo Ancelotti pictured on the touchline during Real Madrid's 3-2 loss at RB Leipzig

IMAGO/Picture Point LE