If you’re looking for the starting lineup for Real Madrid today, you’ve probably noticed things feel a little... different. And by different, I mean chaotic. It's January 18, 2026, and the Santiago Bernabéu is currently a whirlwind of transition. Gone is the stability of the Ancelotti era, and even the brief, somewhat tumultuous Xabi Alonso experiment is already in the rearview mirror.
Now, we’re firmly in the Álvaro Arbeloa era. Well, at least for now.
Yesterday’s clash against Levante was a massive wake-up call. Real Madrid managed to scrape through, but the squad sheet looked more like a "who’s who" of La Fábrica than a traditional Galáctico roster. If you're checking the lineup for the immediate aftermath or looking ahead to the massive Champions League tie against Monaco on Tuesday, you need to understand that Arbeloa is dealing with a defensive crisis that would make most managers quit on the spot.
The Defensive Crisis Shaping the Starting Lineup for Real Madrid Today
Honestly, the backline is a mess.
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There’s no other way to put it. When you lose Antonio Rüdiger (knee), Éder Militão (hamstring), and the summer's big arrival Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh) all at once, your tactical plan goes out the window. Arbeloa has been forced to get creative. Against Levante, we saw Federico Valverde filling in at right-back again. It’s a role he hates, but his lungs are the only thing keeping that flank from collapsing.
The central pairing of Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen is incredibly young. Asencio has the physicality, but Huijsen—who returned from injury recently—has looked a bit shaky. Fans are asking why David Alaba isn't starting, but the truth is he's still being managed with kid gloves after his long-term recovery.
The Midfield Pivot: A Tchouaméni Problem
Here is the kicker. Aurélien Tchouaméni picked up his fifth yellow card against Levante. While he played yesterday, he is officially out for the next La Liga match against Villarreal. For the upcoming Champions League match on January 20, he’ll be there, but Arbeloa has to decide if he starts the Frenchman or begins integrating Eduardo Camavinga into that lone pivot role to prepare for the league suspension.
Most experts believe Camavinga is the better "energy" fit for Arbeloa’s high-press system anyway.
Why the Front Three is Shifting
The biggest talking point in the starting lineup for Real Madrid today isn't actually the defense—it's the absence of Rodrygo. He’s dealing with "physical discomfort," which is basically football-speak for "we don't want his hamstring to snap."
This has opened the door for two very different players:
- Arda Güler: The Turkish sensation. He was the only bright spot in the midweek Copa del Rey disaster against Albacete. He brings a level of vision that Jude Bellingham loves to play off of.
- Gonzalo García: This kid is the real deal. With six goal contributions in his last four appearances (mostly off the bench), Arbeloa finally gave him the nod.
Then there’s the Kylian Mbappé situation. He’s the league’s top scorer with 18 goals, but he’s been carrying a knock. He played against Levante, but he didn't look like the "jet-engine" version of himself. Expect him to start against Monaco, but don't be surprised if he's subbed early if the game is settled.
The Predicted XI for the Next Big Match (vs Monaco)
Based on the latest training sessions and the fallout from the Levante game, here is what the starting lineup for Real Madrid today looks like in terms of hierarchy:
- GK: Thibaut Courtois (The undisputed wall)
- RB: Federico Valverde (Necessary evil due to injuries)
- CB: Raúl Asencio (Arbeloa trusts his youth products)
- CB: Dean Huijsen (Keeping the seat warm for Rüdiger)
- LB: Álvaro Carreras (The best signing of the 2025 summer window)
- DM: Eduardo Camavinga (Preparing for the domestic suspension of Tchouaméni)
- CM: Jude Bellingham (The heartbeat)
- CM: Dani Ceballos or Arda Güler (Depending on how offensive Arbeloa wants to be)
- RW: Arda Güler (Taking advantage of Rodrygo’s injury)
- LW: Vinícius Júnior (Looking for consistency)
- ST: Kylian Mbappé (The focal point)
What Most People Get Wrong About Arbeloa’s Tactics
A lot of people think Arbeloa is just a "placeholder" manager. They’re wrong. Unlike Xabi Alonso, who tried to implement a very rigid, positional 3-4-2-1 system that the squad reportedly struggled with, Arbeloa has reverted to a more traditional 4-3-3.
He wants the team to "suffer together," a phrase he’s used in every press conference this week.
He’s also leaning heavily on the academy. Watch out for Jorge Cestero and Joan Martínez. These aren't just bench fillers; Arbeloa is actually giving them meaningful minutes. If the veterans don't perform, he has zero ego about benching them for a 19-year-old from Castilla.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Analysts
If you are tracking the starting lineup for Real Madrid today for fantasy football or just out of pure obsession, keep these three things in mind:
- Monitor the 24-hour injury report: Specifically regarding Dani Carvajal. He has only played 13 minutes in three months. If he’s fit to start, Valverde moves back to midfield, which changes the entire team dynamic.
- The "Yellow Card" Factor: With Tchouaméni suspended for the next league game, watch for how Arbeloa uses the Monaco game to test a midfield of Camavinga, Bellingham, and Valverde.
- The Left-Back Battle: While Carreras is the starter, Fran García is pushing hard in training. In games where Madrid expects 70% possession, Fran’s crossing might be preferred over Carreras’s defensive stability.
The next few weeks are a gauntlet. Between the Champions League restart and a tricky trip to the Estadio de la Cerámica to face Villarreal on January 24, the lineup is going to remain fluid. Keep an eye on the official club communications about two hours before kickoff, as Arbeloa likes to release his XI earlier than most.