Real Madrid’s Champions League buildup has taken a hit on the eve of their league-phase meeting with AS Monaco at the Santiago Bernabéu on Tuesday, January 20, 2026. The headline absence is Rodrygo Goes, who has been left out of Álvaro Arbeloa’s squad despite appearing in training, suggesting the club is unwilling to take any risks with his fitness.
While the club has kept details tight, multiple reports point to a muscle problem that has lingered since the Spanish Super Cup period, and the decision looks precautionary with domestic fixtures also on the horizon. In a game where moments in the final third can decide everything, Rodrygo’s removal strips Madrid of a proven big-match outlet and reduces Arbeloa’s flexibility in how he rotates his front line.
Defensive absences pile up for Arbeloa
Rodrygo is not the only selection headache. Madrid’s back line is under serious pressure with Trent Alexander-Arnold, Éder Militão, Ferland Mendy, and Antonio Rüdiger all unavailable, and Álvaro Carreras suspended due to yellow-card accumulation. That combination limits both experience and balance across the defensive unit, especially in wide areas where Monaco can look to overload and run at improvised pairings.
This context matters because Madrid’s recent performances have been noisy rather than controlled. Arbeloa’s reign began with a shock Copa del Rey defeat before a league win steadied the mood slightly, but questions remain about structure and consistency, particularly when the team is asked to break opponents down while also staying protected in transition.
Mbappé’s message: whistle if you must, but don’t single anyone out
The tension around the squad has been visible in the stadium, and Kylian Mbappé addressed it directly ahead of the Monaco match. He acknowledged the frustration of supporters, even saying “Were I in the stadium, I would whistle,” but stressed that criticism should be aimed at the team collectively, not at one player. It was a clear call for unity at a moment when nerves can spread quickly in a Champions League night.
Why Arda Güler could be central to the game plan
With Rodrygo out, the door opens wider for other attackers to shoulder creativity duties. One name repeatedly highlighted in previews is Arda Güler, whose profile suits the exact problem Madrid have faced at times this season: breaking down organized, compact defenses. Reports and match previews expect him to play a more significant role against Monaco, with Madrid needing sharp passing, quick combinations, and someone comfortable receiving between the lines.
If Monaco defend deep, Güler’s ability to turn, thread passes, and play at different tempos becomes even more valuable. If Monaco press higher, Madrid will still need a technical connector to keep possession clean and avoid the kind of rushed turnovers that feed counterattacks.
What Monaco will try to do
Monaco arrive aiming to stay faithful to their identity while being disciplined without the ball. Their staff have spoken about focus and collective attention, which usually translates into limiting space near the box and forcing opponents into wider, lower-percentage attacks. Against a Madrid side missing multiple defenders, Monaco’s opportunity may be in attacking the weak points quickly rather than trying to dominate possession for long stretches.
The headline ahead of kickoff
Madrid still have enough star power to win on any night at the Bernabéu, but the Rodrygo absence changes the feel of this matchup. It increases the creative burden on others, likely boosts Güler’s importance, and places even more weight on Madrid’s collective response under pressure—exactly the theme Mbappé tried to underline in his remarks.
