Honestly, if you’re a Madridista, the last few weeks have been a total blur. And not the good kind. We’ve seen a manager sacked, a cup exit that still feels like a fever dream, and a schedule that looks more like a marathon than a football calendar. It’s chaotic. Basically, if you are looking at the Real Madrid games next, you aren't just looking at dates on a screen. You are looking at a rescue mission.
The club is in a weird spot. Xabi Alonso is out, which felt unthinkable just three months ago. Now, Alvaro Arbeloa has stepped up from Castilla to steer the ship. His start? A 3-2 loss to Albacete in the Copa del Rey. Yeah, Albacete. In the second division. It’s the kind of result that makes the Bernabéu whistle before the players even walk out of the tunnel.
The Immediate Gauntlet: La Liga and Europe
The schedule doesn't care about a "transitional period." It’s coming for them. Fast.
First up, there is a massive sense of urgency for the league clash against Levante on Saturday, January 17. It’s at the Bernabéu, and anything less than a convincing win will have the local press calling for another coaching change by Monday morning. After the Albacete disaster, Arbeloa needs to prove he can organize a defense that currently looks like it’s never met each other.
Then, the big one. Champions League night. AS Monaco visits Madrid on Tuesday, January 20.
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The new UCL format has been a bit of a mixed bag, but for Madrid, every point is now gold. They’re currently hovering around 8th in the predicted table, which is dangerous territory if they want to avoid those extra playoff games in February. Losing to Man City in December really put the pressure on. They need a result against Monaco before traveling to Lisbon to face a very tricky Benfica side on January 28.
Breaking Down the January and February Slate
Let's look at the actual path forward. It’s brutal.
- Real Madrid vs Levante (La Liga): Saturday, Jan 17.
- Real Madrid vs AS Monaco (Champions League): Tuesday, Jan 20.
- Villarreal vs Real Madrid (La Liga): Saturday, Jan 24. This is a potential banana skin. The Ceramica is never easy.
- Benfica vs Real Madrid (Champions League): Wednesday, Jan 28. The final "league phase" game.
- Real Madrid vs Rayo Vallecano (La Liga): Sunday, Feb 1.
If they stumble in that Villarreal-Benfica week, the season is effectively over for silverware. Barcelona has already opened up a lead in La Liga, and the Super Cup loss to them in Saudi Arabia earlier this month (that 3-2 defeat) still stings. Arbeloa is basically coaching for his job every 72 hours.
The Kylian Mbappé Dilemma
We have to talk about Kylian. He’s 27 now. He’s the superstar. But that left knee is becoming a massive talking point.
He rushed back for the Supercopa final against Barca—played some minutes, but clearly wasn't himself. Now, reports from L’Equipe suggest he’s hesitant to play until he feels 100% "free of discomfort." Can you blame him? He’s thinking about his career and the upcoming World Cup. But Real Madrid is paying his wages, and they need him now.
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Arbeloa dropped a bit of a bombshell in his Friday press conference, saying, "He's better and will be called up" for the Levante game. Whether he starts or just sits on the bench to scare the opposition is the big question. Without him, the attack lacks that "fear factor." Vinicius Jr. is still there, obviously, but the synergy between them hasn't been what we all expected when the "Dream Team" was assembled.
Injuries and the "Emergency" Transfer Window
The medical room at Valdebebas is crowded. It’s actually a bit ridiculous.
Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão are both out until late January. David Alaba’s name has even popped up in transfer rumors to Galatasaray, which feels like the club might be ready to move on. They’ve signed a 17-year-old right-back, Guille González from Cádiz, but he’s one for the future. He’s headed to the Juvenil A side for now.
What the first team actually needs is a center-back who can lead today. Names like Adam Wharton and Marc Guéhi are floating around, but the club’s net spend this January is currently $0$. They’re being cautious. Maybe too cautious.
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Why the Next 14 Days Matter More Than Usual
Usually, January is just about getting through the winter. This year? It’s a fight for survival.
- Defensive Stability: Arbeloa has to fix the backline. Huijsen and Asencio are talented, but they got bullied by Albacete.
- The Midfield Balance: With Camavinga and Valverde dealing with their own knocks, the engine room looks tired.
- The Managerial Question: Is Arbeloa just a "band-aid"? If he loses to Monaco, don't be surprised if Florentino Perez makes a "midnight call" to someone like Jose Mourinho or a recently available big name.
What You Should Watch For
When you sit down to watch these Real Madrid games next, keep an eye on the first 15 minutes of the Levante match. If they don't score early, the crowd will turn. The Bernabéu is the most demanding stadium in the world. They don't care about injuries or coaching changes; they care about winning.
If you're betting or just following closely, the Villarreal away game on the 24th is the one that tells you if they’ve quit on the season or not. It's a "gut-check" match.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the Lineups Early: Follow Arbeloa’s pressers closely for the Mbappé status; if he’s not in the squad by Friday, expect a low-scoring affair.
- Watch the UCL Table: Madrid needs to finish in the top 8 to skip the playoff round. Keep a tab on the live-table during the Monaco game.
- Transfer Deadline: Keep an eye on January 31. If no defender arrives, the Champions League run is likely going to be short-lived.
Madrid is a club built on drama. This month is providing enough for a ten-part documentary. Whether it ends in a trophy or a total rebuild remains to be seen.