Real Madrid welcome Monaco to the Santiago Bernabéu looking to strengthen their position in the Champions League top eight. Monaco arrive in Spain with a solid European record this season, despite struggling badly in domestic competition.
Real Madrid eased some pressure at the weekend with a 2–0 win over Levante after being booed early in the match. It will be Álvaro Arbeloa’s first Champions League home game as head coach. Madrid are currently inside the top eight with four wins from six matches, but after losing their last home European game to Manchester City, they will be keen to avoid back-to-back home defeats in the competition for the first time since 2019.
Monaco recovered well after losing their opening Champions League match and are now unbeaten in five European games. This run has put them on course for a place in the knockout play-offs. However, their domestic form is a concern, having won just one of their last eight league matches and lost their last four in a row. Away from home in Europe, though, Monaco have been more competitive, losing only once in their last four Champions League away games.
The two sides last met in the Champions League quarter-finals in 2004, with both teams winning their home matches. Real Madrid have a strong record at home against French teams, while Monaco have enjoyed some success against Spanish sides in recent European campaigns.
Kylian Mbappé will be the main threat for Madrid, having scored nine of their 13 Champions League goals this season against his former club. Monaco will look to Folarin Balogun, their top scorer in the competition so far.
Madrid will be missing several defenders, including the suspended Álvaro Carreras. Monaco are without Takumi Minamino due to injury.
