If you’ve been following the chaotic vibes at the Bernabéu lately, you know things are... well, they’re interesting. Honestly, calling it "interesting" is a bit of an understatement. Real Madrid is currently navigating a season that feels more like a high-stakes soap opera than a standard football campaign. And now, the real madrid champions league next game is looming large. On Tuesday, January 20, 2026, Monaco comes to town for Matchday 7 of the league phase.
It's a game that should be a standard home win, right? Wrong.
There’s a massive cloud of drama hanging over this fixture. First off, Xabi Alonso is out. Yeah, you read that right. Despite all the hype and that beautiful football we saw earlier in the season, Alonso and the club parted ways just a few days ago on January 12. Enter Álvaro Arbeloa. The "Spartan" is now the man in the hot seat, and his start has been—to put it bluntly—a total nightmare. Losing 3-2 to Albacete in the Copa del Rey was not on anyone's bingo card. It’s the kind of result that makes even the most loyal Madridista start sweating.
Can Arbeloa Steady the Ship Against Monaco?
This real madrid champions league next game is basically Arbeloa's trial by fire on the European stage. Monaco isn't some pushover team either. They’re sitting in the middle of the pack in the league phase table, and they’ve shown they can be annoying to play against. For Madrid, currently sitting in 7th place with 12 points, this isn't just about winning; it’s about avoiding the knockout play-off round.
If they finish in the top eight, they skip that extra round in February. If they slip? Well, then the schedule gets even more congested, and the players are already dropping like flies.
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The squad situation is kinda grim. We’re talking about a defense that's basically held together by tape and hope. Antonio Rüdiger is out with a knee issue. Éder Militão is nursing a tendon injury. Even the new big-name signing, Trent Alexander-Arnold, is sidelined with a hamstring problem. It’s wild. Arbeloa is basically forced to play kids like Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen in matches that define the club's season.
The Mbappe Dilemma
And then there's Kylian Mbappé. This guy’s season has been a rollercoaster. He’s the top scorer in La Liga with 18 goals, but his knee is acting up. He rushed back for the Supercopa final against Barcelona—which Madrid lost, by the way—and now reports from France (specifically L’Equipe) say he’s frustrated. He doesn't want to play until he’s 100%.
Arbeloa said he'd be in the squad for the Levante game this weekend, but will he risk him for the full 90 against Monaco? It’s a massive gamble. If he plays and gets hurt again, the season is basically over. If he doesn't play, Madrid lacks that clinical edge that won them the Champions League so many times before.
What the Standings Actually Mean
Let's look at the table because the "League Phase" format is still tripping people up. Real Madrid has 4 wins and 2 losses. Those losses against Liverpool and Manchester City hurt, but they aren't fatal.
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- Arsenal - 18 pts (Perfect so far)
- Bayern Munich - 15 pts
- PSG - 13 pts
- Manchester City - 13 pts
... - Real Madrid - 12 pts
Basically, Madrid needs a win against Monaco and then a result against Benfica in the final game on January 28. If they grab six points from these next two, they’re almost guaranteed a top-eight finish. If they lose to Monaco, they could plummet into the "unseeded" territory for the play-offs. That means potentially facing a team like Juventus or Leverkusen just to get into the Round of 16. Nobody wants that.
A New Medical Boss
The club is so worried about the "avalanche of injuries" (23 so far this season!) that they actually brought back Dr. Niko Mihić. Remember him? He was the head of medical services under Zidane and Ancelotti. They reinstated him on January 4 to try and fix whatever is going on in the training room. When you're bringing back doctors mid-season, you know the vibes are off.
Tactical Shifts Under Arbeloa
What should we expect tactically? Arbeloa is much more "back to basics" than Alonso was. In the Albacete disaster, he tried to be pragmatic, but the team lacked ideas. Against Monaco, expect him to lean heavily on Jude Bellingham and Federico Valverde to provide the energy.
Vini Jr. is also coming off a very tough week, but he’s the heartbeat of this team. If he and Mbappé can’t find a rhythm under the new boss, Monaco’s defense—which hasn't been great but is physically strong—will just sit deep and frustrate them.
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Monaco usually lines up in a way that exploits teams on the break. If Madrid’s makeshift defense pushes too high, guys like Maghnes Akliouche could have a field day. It’s a scary prospect for a team that just lost to a second-division side.
How to Prepare for Matchday
If you're planning on watching the real madrid champions league next game, here’s the deal:
- Date/Time: Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 9:00 PM CET (local Madrid time).
- Venue: The Santiago Bernabéu. The roof will probably be closed to keep the atmosphere intense.
- The stakes: A win keeps the top-eight dream alive; anything else invites a full-blown crisis.
Keep an eye on the starting lineup about an hour before kickoff. If Mbappé isn't in it, expect Arda Güler or Brahim Díaz (if he's back from international duty/fit) to take that spot. But honestly, it’s the defense you should be worried about. If Asencio and Huijsen start together in a Champions League match, grab some popcorn because it's going to be a bumpy ride.
To get ready for the big night, make sure you've checked the final injury report on Monday evening. Check specifically for updates on Ferland Mendy's ankle, as his presence would at least stabilize the left side of that shaky defense. If you're betting, keep in mind that Madrid’s home record is usually stellar, but this isn't your typical Real Madrid season.
Watch the pre-match press conference for Arbeloa's tone. If he sounds defensive, the pressure is getting to him. If he’s the "Spartan" we know, he might just rally the troops for a classic European night.