Article by Cosmin Nistor – Published on Wednesday, 21 January 2026, 01:05 / Updated on Wednesday, 21 January 2026 01:47
Real Madrid provided the score of the 7th stage of the single group of the Champions League, crushing AS Monaco 6-1on the “Santiago Bernabeu”. It was the debut of coach Alvaro Arbeloa in European cups.
Kylian Mbappe scored for Madrid (double, even against his former team), Franco Mastantuono, Vinicius Jr., Jude Bellingham, while Thilo Kehrer contributed with an own goal. The goal of honor for the French was scored by Jordan Tese.
Alvaro Arbeloa, the first reactions after the 6-1 with Monaco: “Real Madrid is not about tactics”
At the end of the game, the new technician of the “galacticos”, Alvaro Arbeloa, spoke about the categorical victory, but also about the relationship with his players, underlining the spirit that defines the “blanco” club: “Real Madrid is not about tactics or patterns of play, but about passion, sacrifice and character. Today, the team showed exactly this. When they are mentally connected, no one can stop them.”
Arbeloa admitted that his time at the helm of the team was extremely short and that the success belongs entirely to the players: “We had more press conferences than practices. We didn't have time to really work on important things. The players helped me a lot.”
The technician also commented on the moment when Vinicius Jr. hugged him after the goal:
“come hug me I think he embraced not only me but also the Real Madrid fans“, said Arbeloa, according to skysports.com.
The standings in the Champions League standings
After this victory, Real Madrid occupy the 2nd place in the single group of the Champions League, provisional position, in the conditions that Bayern Munich is to play the match with Royale Union Saint-Gilloise. In case of a victory for the Bavarians, Madrid will most likely end the round in 3rd or 4th place.
