“Playing from the start is very difficult” - Real Madrid star Endrick makes huge admission after Champions League defeat to Lille
Real Madrid attacker Endrick opened up about getting a starting role in Los Blancos' 1-0 loss to Ligue 1 side LOSC Lille in the Champions League on Wednesday night (October 2). The youngster admitted that while he was happy to receive the opportunity, he also found it difficult.
The 18-year-old arrived at Real Madrid in the summer from Brazilian side Palmeiras for a package reportedly worth around €60 million. He has been used off the bench but received his first-ever start for the club against Lille, playing up front alongside countryman Vinicius Jr.
However, Endrick struggled and was replaced by Luka Modric in the 57th minute. Earlier, Lille broke the deadlock through Jonathan David's penalty in first-half added time (45+2')
Enrick said after the game (via @MadridXtra on X):
"Being a starter? It's an incredible feeling because I'm at the biggest club in the world. Playing from the start is very difficult."
It was a lackluster performance from Real Madrid who struggled to get much going against the organized defense of their French opponents. With just six shots on target and five big chances missed (according to FotMob), Carlo Ancelotti's side lacked the cutthroat finishing they usually display.
The arrival of Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham off the bench offered some respite as Real Madrid looked stronger going forward after their introduction. However, it wasn't enough, handing them their first loss in the tournament in over a year.
Carlo Ancelotti opens up as Real Madrid lose to Lille in Champions League
Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti said Los Blancos' inability to create good chances was their downfall in their 1-0 loss to Lille in the Champions League. He explained after the game (via Forbes):
"It was difficult for us to get into the game. We only had chances at the end and with crosses. The team wasn't good. It's nothing, [we need to] learn from defeat and improve. Sometimes losing is helpful. It's a very long season, and we have to improve. It seemed like we were doing it, but today we went back a bit."
Los Blancos looked toothless in attack for most of the fixture, unable to break the Lille defense. At the other end, Jonathan David scored from a penalty in first-half stoppage time after Eduardo Camavinga had handled the ball in the box.
Real Madrid will hope to jump right back into form as they prepare to face Villarreal in La Liga on Saturday, October 5.