Real Madrid talking points after nightmare loss to CSKA Moscow

Arnor Sigurdsson then scored a third to put the game beyond the hosts in the 73rd minute.

Here are some talking points from the encounter.

VINICIUS THE ONLY WIN

When Madrid splurged €46 million on secure Vinicius’ signature as a 17-year-old, eyebrows were raised but it was clear what they were trying to accomplish. The idea was to sign Neymar before he became Neymar and on the evidence of Vinicius’ start to life at the Bernabeu, they’ll be quietly confident they’ve succeeded in doing just that.

The Brazilian became the third-youngest Madrid player to start a Champions League game on Wednesday night and he instantly looked like he belonged on club football’s grandest stage, which is more than can be said of his team-mates.

His electric performance featured some incredible play as his ability to cut inside or just as easily storm towards the byline regularly terrorised CSKA’s defenders while he had no problem getting involved in the build-up play, pulling off a couple of neat flicks along the way.

The 18-year-old remains a raw talent as was noticeable by the fact that, for all his good work, he only tested the keeper once and made just one key pass. At the moment though, he is invaluable to Madrid as one of the few players capable of providing the spark they have so often lacked this season.

SOLARI SELECTION

It’s no secret that Madrid have been woeful in defence this season, but this was a new low. CSKA became the first team this term to score three goals at the Bernabeu this season.

Yes, Madrid didn’t have a dog in this fight having already secured their progress into the round of 16 but the manner of defeat is no less alarming as a result.

Even though Santiago Solari fielded several fringe players, there was also a generous spattering of seasoned veterans in the starting XI. Meanwhile, they were no better when the likes of Gareth Bale and Toni Kroos took to the pitch in the second half.

The central defensive pairing of Jesus Vallejo and Javi Sanchez always looked vulnerable but then again, has the preferred duo of Raphael Varane and Sergio Ramos inspired confidence this season?

There appears to be a fundamental problem in the way Los Blancos defend while they certainly weren’t helped by the presence of an equally inexperienced midfield double pivot of Federico Valverde and Marcos Llorente ahead of them.

Perhaps Solari should’ve known better. It’s one thing to give a few youngsters a chance but maybe he went a step to far by using them as the complete make up of the team’s defensive core. It was still CSKA in the Champions League, not Melilla in Copa del Rey.

REAL TRAGEDY

Football can be cruel sometimes and CSKA were the latest victims of its merciless nature. The Russian side had a Europa League spot to play for at the Bernabeu and their performance exceeded theirs or anyone else’s expectations.

Having beaten Madrid 1-0 with 10 men in Moscow, they completed the double over the tournament’s champions in four of the last five years. They did it in style as well, comprehensively beating the Spanish giants 3-0 in their own backyard but somehow found themselves finish bottom of Group G.

Viktoria Plzen snatched third place instead, winning 2-1 at home against Roma. The Czech outfit finished with a goal difference eight worse than CSKA but finished above them on the head-to-head rule.

It’s a peculiar scenario and the Russian side have every right to feel hard done by.