Real Madrid is in a weird spot. Honestly, it’s been a chaotic season in the capital. One minute they’re lifting trophies, and the next, Xabi Alonso is out the door after a frustrating 2-1 loss to Manchester City. Now, we’ve got Alvaro Arbeloa stepping into the technical area for his first-ever European night as the main man. The next Real Madrid champions league match isn't just another fixture; it's a massive vibe check for the most successful club in football history.
Tuesday night. The Bernabéu. AS Monaco is coming to town for Matchday 7 of the league phase.
You’ve probably seen the table. Madrid is sitting in 7th place with 12 points. On paper, that sounds fine, right? Top eight get direct entry to the Round of 16. But after losing to Liverpool and City, the cushion is basically gone. A slip-up against Monaco could send them spiraling into the playoff zone, which is exactly the kind of extra work this injury-thinned squad doesn't need.
The Kylian Mbappé Derby and the Injury Crisis
Everyone is calling this the "Mbappé Derby" because, well, obviously. He's facing his old club. But there's a catch. Kylian has been nursing a knee issue that kept him out of the Spanish Super Cup final loss to Barcelona and the recent win over Levante. Arbeloa told the press he’s "better" and in the squad, but will he actually start?
The medical room at Valdebebas is currently busier than the Gran Vía on a Saturday night.
- Rodrygo is out.
- Antonio Rüdiger is out.
- Ferland Mendy and Éder Militão are out.
- Even Trent Alexander-Arnold, the big summer arrival, is sidelined.
Basically, the defense is being held together by duct tape and vibes. We're looking at a backline likely featuring Raul Asencio and Dean Huijsen. If you told a Madridista a year ago that this would be the center-back duo for a crucial January Champions League match, they’d have laughed you out of the room. But here we are.
Real Madrid vs Monaco: Why This Game is Tricky
Monaco isn't a pushover. They're sitting in 19th in the massive league table with 9 points. They need a result to stay in the playoff hunt. They’ve got nothing to lose and everything to gain by frustrating a Madrid side that is still trying to find its tactical identity under Arbeloa.
Arbeloa's debut against Levante was a 2-0 win, which brought some much-needed calm. Jude Bellingham was everywhere. He didn't score, but he led. That’s the version of Jude we need on Tuesday. He’s taking on more responsibility than ever, especially with the "heavyweights" in the treatment room.
The match kicks off on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 9:00 PM CET.
If you're watching from the States, that's 3:00 PM ET. It's the kind of game where Madrid usually finds a way. They always do. But with a new coach and a skeleton crew in defense, the "DNA" is going to be tested.
What Real Madrid Needs to Do Next
The math is simple but the execution is hard. Madrid has 12 points. Usually, 15 or 16 points is the "magic number" to guarantee a top-eight finish in this new format. Winning this next Real Madrid champions league match gets them to 15. That takes the pressure off the final trip to Lisbon to face Benfica on January 28.
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Keep an eye on the starting lineup an hour before kickoff. If Mbappé is on the bench, expect Vinicius Jr. to carry the entire attacking load. He’s played 350 games for the club now—a crazy stat for someone still so young—and he thrives on these nights.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Check the lineup early: Follow the official Real Madrid X (formerly Twitter) account exactly 60 minutes before kickoff to see if Mbappé starts.
- Monitor the "Yellow" Situation: Several players are close to suspension; look out for tactical fouls that might rule players out of the Benfica game.
- Watch the High Line: Monaco likes to counter. With a makeshift defense, see if Arbeloa drops the defensive line deeper than Alonso used to.
The road to the 16th European Cup doesn't get easier from here. It starts with surviving Monaco at home. If the youngsters in defense can hold firm and Bellingham controls the tempo, Madrid should be okay. But in the Champions League, "should be" usually leads to drama.