"The spotlight falls on the Santiago Bernabéu this Tuesday evening as Real Madrid welcome AS Monaco for a pivotal Champions League league-phase clash. Dubbed the "Kylian Mbappé derby," this encounter pits two sides with contrasting fortunes against each other in a match that could shape their European destinies. Real Madrid Los Blancos enter this fixture under new leadership, with Álvaro Arbeloa taking charge for his first European night. His appointment follows a turbulent spell under Xabi Alonso, whose tenure ended after a damaging 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City."
"Despite opening the campaign with three straight wins, Real's grip on qualification has loosened. Twelve points from six games currently place them seventh in the overall standings-a position that secures direct entry to the last 16 but leaves little margin for error. A slip could mean a playoff route, an unwelcome prospect for a club accustomed to dominance on the continental stage. Arbeloa's arrival has injected calm after a shock Copa del Rey exit to Albacete. His debut brought a routine 2-0 La Liga victory over Levante, narrowing the gap to leaders Barcelona to just one point. Encouragingly, Real have now recorded three consecutive home wins, firing 26 shots against Levante-the third-highest tally for a debuting Blancos boss since 2003-04."
"Real's defeat to City came at a cost beyond the scoreline. Left-back Álvaro Carreras is suspended after collecting his third yellow card of the league phase. He joins Eder Militão (hamstring) and Trent Alexander-Arnold (thigh) on the sidelines, while Rodrygo, Ferland Mendy, Antonio Rüdiger, and Andriy Lunin face late fitness checks. On a brighter note, Mbappé-formerly of Monaco-returned from a knee issue to score against Levante, taking his season tally to a career-bes"
Santiago Bernabéu will host Real Madrid against AS Monaco in a Champions League league-phase match nicknamed the "Kylian Mbappé derby." Real Madrid are led by Álvaro Arbeloa for his first European night after Xabi Alonso's tenure ended following a 2-1 home defeat to Manchester City. Real began the campaign with three straight wins but now sit on 12 points from six games, placing them seventh overall and risking a playoff route. Arbeloa's debut produced a 2-0 La Liga win over Levante and three successive home victories. Squad issues include a suspension for Álvaro Carreras and multiple injury and fitness concerns, while Mbappé returned from a knee issue to score.
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