Real Madrid Set to Make Two Changes for Champions League Clash With Monaco

Alvaro Arbeloa is set to make two changes in his first Champions League outing as Real Madrid manager against AS Monaco on Tuesday night. 

Los Blancos need to win their final two UCL league phase matches to all but secure their automatic qualification spot for the Round of 16.

The 15-time European champions are currently in seventh place with 12 points to their name. They are level on points with Atletico Madrid and Liverpool, but have better goal difference.

Real Madrid to Make Two Changes Against Monaco

After suffering consecutive defeats in the Supercopa de Espana final and then the Copa del Rey Round of 16, Real Madrid returned to winning ways against Levante.

Kylian Mbappe scored from the penalty spot, and Raul Asencio found the net with a header to seal a 2-0 win for Madrid.

More than the win, it was the Bernabeu’s discontent with certain players that made headlines. Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, and Federico Valverde — three players linked with Xabi Alonso’s premature exit — drew the most jeers.

All three will return to the starting XI in the Champions League clash with Monaco. Alvaro Arbeloa has defended Vinicius Jr. from boo-boys and hopes for a better reception on Tuesday.

In goal, Thibaut Courtois will start once again ahead of Andriy Lunin. Goalscorer Asencio will partner with Dean Huijsen at the heart of the defence.

✅ ¡Nuestros convocados!
@AS_Monaco_ES pic.twitter.com/RlVWBlPxKO

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadrid) January 19, 2026

Dani Carvajal has only played 14 minutes of football since October 26, while Trent Alexander-Arnold remains on the treatment table. So, Valverde will man the right flank against Monaco.

The first Real Madrid change will be at left-back, with Fran Garcia replacing the suspended Alvaro Carreras.

Aurelien Tchouameni will anchor the midfield against his old club. Arda Guler is set to be the next change, replacing Eduardo Camavinga in the starting XI. Bellingham will keep his place.

Up top, Arbeloa is likely to go with the same trio that started against Levante — Gonzalo Garcia, Mbappe, and Vinicius Jr. Garcia and Mbappe are likely to swap positions throughout the game to keep Monaco on their toes.

It is, of course, a special game for Mbappe, who rose through the ranks at Monaco before making a mark on the global stage.

Real Madrid Potential Starting XI

Goalkeeper: Courtois

Defence: Valverde, Asencio, Huijsen, Fran Garcia

Midfield: Tchouameni, Guler, Bellingham

Attack: Gonzalo Garcia, Mbappe, Vinicius Jr.

Alexander-Arnold, Eder Militao, Antonio Rudiger, Ferland Mendy, and Rodrygo are injured, while Carreras is suspended due to an accumulation of yellow cards.

Lastly, Brahim Diaz is rested after representing Morocco in AFCON. Diaz won the AFCON Golden Boot, but finished with the runners-up medal after missing a crucial penalty.

It will be interesting to see how Arbeloa integrates him into his plans upon his return.