Real Madrid Vs Monaco: Live Score, Preview, Lineup, Telecast Details
| Date | Tuesday, January 20, 2026 |
| Time | 01:30 AM IST (Wednesday) |
| Venue | Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid |
| Competition | UEFA Champions League |
🏟️ The Mbappé Derby: Arbeloa's European Debut at the Bernabéu
Real Madrid welcomes Monaco to the Santiago Bernabéu tonight in what is being dubbed the "Kylian Mbappé Derby". Following the departure of Xabi Alonso, new head coach Álvaro Arbeloa will take charge of his first European night, hoping to secure a vital win that would almost guarantee a top-eight finish in the league phase. After a rocky start to 2026, including a shock Copa del Rey exit, Los Blancos enter this fixture high on confidence following a steady 2-0 league win over Levante.
AS Monaco arrives in the Spanish capital still fighting for their survival in the competition. Currently sitting 19th in the standings, the Ligue 1 side is not yet safe from early elimination and faces a daunting task against a Madrid side that has historically dominated this stage. Monaco's recent form has been inconsistent, but they have shown they can frustrate elite opponents, as seen in their 0-0 draw against Tottenham earlier in the campaign.
- Event: UEFA Champions League League Phase (Matchday 7)
- Date: Tuesday, January 20, 2026
- Time: 08:00 PM GMT (01:30 AM IST Wednesday)
- Venue: Estadio Santiago Bernabéu, Madrid
- Context: A win for Real Madrid (12 points) would virtually secure an automatic Round of 16 spot.
📊 Team Analysis & Form
Real Madrid (Coach: Álvaro Arbeloa, Form: W L L W W)
Arbeloa’s biggest challenge tonight is a massive defensive crisis. With Rüdiger, Militão, and Alaba sidelined, and Carreras suspended, the defense will likely rely on youngsters Raúl Asencio and Dean Huijsen. Despite these absences, Madrid’s attacking firepower remains formidable, averaging over 2.6 goals in their recent home fixtures.
AS Monaco (Coach: Sébastien Pocognoli, Form: L L D W D)
Monaco has struggled for consistency in Ligue 1 but has been remarkably resilient in Europe. They sit 19th in the overall Champions League standings with 9 points. While they have suffered domestic setbacks recently, their European results include gritty draws against Manchester City and Tottenham, suggesting they will be difficult to break down.
⭐ Key Players
- Real Madrid: Kylian Mbappé (Forward) - Facing his former club, he is the competition's most dangerous asset with 9 goals in the league phase so far.
- Real Madrid: Raúl Asencio (Defender) - The academy graduate has scored twice in 2026 and will be the anchor of a makeshift defense.
- Monaco: Maghnes Akliouche (Midfielder) - The creative heart of the team, leading Monaco with two assists in the Champions League.
- Monaco: Folarin Balogun (Forward) - The top scorer for the visitors in Europe this season, he will look to exploit Madrid's inexperienced backline.
🎯 The Key Battlegrounds
- The Makeshift Defense: Can Real Madrid's young center-back pairing handle the physical threat of Balogun and Mika Biereth?
- Arbeloa's Tactics: How the new coach manages his first major European test amidst a squad hit by six key injuries.
- The Bernabéu Factor: Madrid has won six of their last ten home European games by a margin of 2+ goals.
🔮 Prediction and Final Word
Real Madrid are the heavy favorites, with an estimated 78% probability of victory. While their defensive injuries provide Monaco a glimmer of hope, the attacking quality of Mbappé and Vinícius Júnior at the Bernabéu should be too much for the visitors to handle. Expect a high-scoring game given both teams' recent trends of finding the back of the net.
Predicted Score: Real Madrid 3–1 Monaco
Will Mbappé haunt his former side, or can Monaco pull off a historic heist in Madrid? Kick-off is at 01:30 AM IST tonight!
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