Real Madrid vs Monaco – Match preview and team news | OneFootball

Real Madrid prepare to face AS Monaco at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday evening in a UEFA Champions League league phase fixture. 

The two teams have only met twice in the competition prior to this week, all the way back in 2004 when the principality shocked the Spanish giants over two legs in the quarter-finals.

Los Blancos will be looking to avoid another upset and move closer to securing a place in the top eight of the table. Monaco may be 12 places lower in the standings, but only three points separate the two clubs.

Real Madrid vs Monaco – Match preview and team news

Real Madrid team news

Newly-appointed head coach Álvaro Arbeloa faces a significant injury crisis as Real Madrid navigates a turbulent period. Eder Militao remains sidelined with a hamstring injury, whilst Antonio Rudiger is a major doubt after sustaining a knee injury during the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Atlético Madrid.

Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh injury) is ruled out as well, and Ferland Mendy continues to be sidelined by a persistent calf problem. Brahim Diaz is not back yet after the Africa Cup of Nations final, whilst Alvaro Carreras faces a one-match suspension following yellow card accumulation.

Encouragingly, Kylian Mbappé made a successful return to action against Levante, scoring a penalty in Real Madrid’s convincing 2-0 La Liga victory last Saturday. The French superstar, who took time managing a knee injury, remains the focal point of Arbeloa’s attacking intentions despite lingering concerns over his availability.

Key midfield figures Eduardo Camavinga, Aurélien Tchouaméni, and Jude Bellingham are expected to feature, providing creative support for Mbappé and Vinícius Jr in the final third.

Monaco team news

Sébastien Pocognoli’s side arrive at the Bernabéu without several key performers. Paul Pogba remains unavailable due to a calf injury. African Cup of Nations participants Lamine Camara and Krépin Diatta are not going to be involved as the duo will not be fit to start, whilst Christian Mawissa (hamstring), Mohammed Salisu (knee), and Takumi Minamino (knee) are all sidelined. Goalkeeper Lukas Hradecky sustained a knee injury in Monaco’s recent 3-1 defeat to Lorient and faces several weeks out, forcing the club to turn to Philipp Koehn.

Folarin Balogun, Monaco’s leading goal contributor this season, is expected to spearhead the attack despite an unspecified injury concern. The American striker has rediscovered his form under Pocognoli, netting three goals in the Champions League and proving instrumental in Monaco’s European campaign.

Form

Real Madrid

Arbeloa’s reign began dramatically with a humiliating 3-2 Copa del Rey elimination to second-division Albacete on Wednesday, a result that drew sharp criticism from the Santiago Bernabéu faithful. However, the new manager responded admirably, steering Los Blancos to a convincing 2-0 victory over Levante in La Liga on Saturday, a performance that provided a much-needed morale boost. Real Madrid remain seventh in the Champions League standings with 12 points from six matches, a record of four wins and two defeats.

Monaco

Monaco’s season has descended into crisis, suffering seven losses in their last eight Ligue 1 matches to leave them ninth in the table with just 23 points from 18 games. However, the club’s European credentials remain more respectable, having accumulated nine points from six Champions League fixtures.

Predicted lineups

Real Madrid: Courtois; Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Garcia; Camavinga, Tchouameni, Bellingham; Guler, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr

Monaco: Kohn; Vanderson, Kehrer, Dier, Henrique; Akliouche, Teze, Zakaria, Golovin; Balogun, Biereth

How to watch Real Madrid vs Monaco?

The match will be broadcast live in the UK on TNT Sports 2 and TNT Sports 8. Highlights will be uploaded to YouTube shortly after the final whistle.

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