Real Madrid faces AS Monaco in the Champions League league phase on January 20 at the Santiago Bernabéu, aiming to boost their position in seventh place with 12 points from six matches. Under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa, the team navigates injuries and suspensions while Kylian Mbappé prepares to face his former club. A victory could solidify their push for direct qualification to the last 16.
The Santiago Bernabéu will host a pivotal Champions League encounter as Real Madrid takes on AS Monaco in Matchday 7 of the league phase on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, at 9:00 pm CET. Real Madrid, sitting seventh with 12 points after winning their first three European fixtures but suffering narrow defeats to Liverpool and Manchester City, needs points to secure a top-eight finish for direct advancement.
This marks Arbeloa's first European match in charge following Xabi Alonso's dismissal. Addressing fan concerns after recent boos during the 2-0 La Liga win over Levante, Arbeloa stated: “I see you’re very worried about the whistles. I know what the Bernabeu crowd is like. I’ve told the players. If anyone’s fair, it’s the Bernabeu crowd. They want to see the style of play they like; we’re working on it. We know they’ll be on our side.” That victory extended Real's home winning streak to three across all competitions, with 26 shots signaling attacking promise.
Injuries plague the squad: Éder Militão (hamstring), Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh), Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rüdiger (knee) are out, while Álvaro Carreras is suspended. Andriy Lunin returns from a calf injury to back up Thibaut Courtois, but Rodrygo remains unavailable despite recent training. The official squad includes goalkeepers Courtois, Lunin, and Fran González; defenders Carvajal, Alaba, Asencio, Fran García, and Huijsen; midfielders Bellingham, Camavinga, Valverde, Tchouaméni, Arda Güler, Ceballos, Pol Fortuny, and Mesonero; and forwards Vinícius Júnior, Mbappé, Gonzalo, and Mastantuono.
Mbappé, who has nine Champions League goals this season after recovering from a knee issue, leads the attack against his former side. Monaco, unbeaten in five straight European games but with just one loss in six league-phase fixtures, faces absences including Paul Pogba (calf) and Folarin Balogun (doubt). Expected lineups suggest Real in a 4-3-3 with Valverde at right-back and Güler in midfield, while Monaco fields Kohn in goal.
Stats highlight Real's three wins from six matches and Monaco's consistency, but Real's home form could prove decisive in this Kylian Mbappé derby.
