Monaco faces Real Madrid in the Champions League tonight, a match loaded with emotions for Brazilian left-back Caio Henrique. The 28-year-old defender, who previously played for Atletico Madrid’s youth team, reflects on both his personal journey and the challenge ahead. Despite having only made one senior appearance for Atletico, he has become a key player for Monaco and a regular in the Brazilian national team, sharing the field with the likes of Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo.
Henrique has extensive experience battling against Madrid’s attacking threats. Having faced Kylian Mbappe six times during his tenure at Paris Saint-Germain and having gone toe-to-toe with Vinicius and Rodrygo in Brazil, he feels prepared to handle the dynamic offense of Real Madrid. Currently, Madrid is experiencing difficulties following the departure of Xabi Alonso and the arrival of Alvaro Arbeloa, which could give Monaco a potential edge.
Although Monaco sits in ninth place in Ligue 1, three points adrift of Champions League qualification, Caio Henrique views the Bernabeu clash as an opportunity to ignite their season. He emphasizes the need for a flawless performance in what he describes as “the most difficult stadium in Europe.” The atmosphere at the Bernabeu, marked by recent fan discontent following their 2-0 victory against Levante, could play to Monaco’s advantage. Henrique aims to capitalize on any frustration among Madrid supporters by maintaining possession and provoking their anger.
According to Henrique, understanding Madrid’s weaknesses will be crucial. He observes that while Madrid thrives with the ball, they can be vulnerable without it, stating, “We have to look for the spaces and take advantage of the opportunities.” He expressed optimism for a 1-0 victory, envisioning Folarin Balogun scoring the crucial goal.
Defending against speedy players like Vinicius Jr. and quality playmakers like Rodrygo presents a significant challenge. Both players have faced criticism this season, with long stretches without scoring, but Henrique believes they possess the resilience to rebound quickly.
Mbappe remains a critical focus for Henrique, as the forward’s evolution into a more mature player poses a heightened threat. “He’s more dangerous nowadays,” Henrique notes, emphasizing the need to contain Mbappe to avoid problems.
Henrique recently earned a recall to the national team under Carlo Ancelotti, a moment that holds personal significance after recovering from a serious knee injury. He has great respect for Ancelotti, praising the high training intensity and the coach’s intelligence in managing the game.
Monaco will miss the experience of Paul Pogba, who has played only a limited number of minutes since his signing. Despite his absence, Henrique speaks highly of Pogba’s influence on the team’s younger players, describing him as a calm leader who has quickly endeared himself to the squad.
Additionally, Ansu Fati, on loan from Barcelona, is another player Henrique hopes can regain his former glory as they collectively aspire to shine under the roaring lights of the Bernabeu.
As the Champions League lights brighten the atmosphere, Monaco looks to harness their potential and strive for a memorable result against one of Europe’s strongest clubs.