| Real Madrid vs Monaco | |
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MATCH INFO |
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MATCH :
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Real Madrid vs Monaco
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COMPETITION :
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UEFA Champions League
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| DATE: |
21 - 01 - 2026
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TIME:
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01.30 AM IST
12.00 AM UAE
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STADIUM
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Estadio Bernabeu |
Team News and Injury Update Ahead of Bernabeu Clash
Real Madrid’s recent defeat to Manchester City came with additional consequences beyond the result, as the Spanish giants were hit by disciplinary and fitness concerns ahead of their upcoming European fixture.
Left-back Álvaro Carreras will be unavailable after receiving his third yellow card of the Champions League league phase, triggering an automatic one-match suspension. The defender is the latest name added to an already concerning absentee list for the hosts.
Real Madrid are also without Éder Militão, who continues to recover from a hamstring injury, while Trent Alexander-Arnold remains sidelined due to a thigh problem. Several other first-team players will require late fitness assessments, including Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger, and goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, all of whom are dealing with minor physical issues.
There is more positive news in attack, however, as Kylian Mbappé has shaken off a knee concern. The French forward returned to the starting lineup in the domestic win over Levante and found the net, continuing his impressive form in Europe. Mbappé has now scored nine goals in this season’s Champions League, marking the most prolific UCL campaign of his career to date.
AS Monaco, meanwhile, arrive in Madrid without any suspension issues, but their preparations have been disrupted by injury worries. Folarin Balogun was a late withdrawal from Friday’s league defeat to Lorient, and his availability remains uncertain. The forward has been a key contributor in Europe, scoring in each of his last three Champions League appearances.
Should Balogun fail to recover in time, Monaco still have attacking alternatives available, including Ansu Fati and Mika Biereth, both of whom are expected to be on standby.
Monaco’s injury list also includes Paul Pogba, who is unlikely to feature due to a calf issue. Goalkeeper Lukas Hrádecký, along with Christian Mawissa, Takumi Minamino, and Mohammed Salisu, are all sidelined with knee or hamstring problems.
In addition, Senegal internationals KrÉpin Diatta and Lamine Camara are set to return from the Africa Cup of Nations, but neither player will be available for selection, with the fixture taking place just two days after the tournament final against Morocco.
With both sides dealing with fitness challenges, squad depth and late medical assessments could play a decisive role in Tuesday’s high-profile encounter at the Santiago Bernabéu.