Trent Alexander-Arnold endured a mixed performance as Real Madrid’s midfield experiment under Jose Mourinho faltered during a 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan, with the manager later confirming the England right-back is not a midfielder.
The former Liverpool star started in midfield for Real Madrid on Tuesday, forced into the role due to suspensions for Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, and Bernardo Silva. Alexander-Arnold created two chances and attempted more crosses than any other player but failed to win a tackle, with his passing accuracy dropping to 83.3%.
Mourinho’s Verdict: A Misfit in Midfield
Mourinho openly dismissed the experiment, stating Alexander-Arnold is not a midfielder after the match. The manager highlighted the physical and tactical differences between the full-back role and central positioning, noting, It’s hard for Trent… with his characteristics, the specificity needed to play full-back or central midfield, it’s completely different physically. The comment aligns with the England international’s struggles, including a lack of tackles and a visibly fatigued performance late in the game.
Trent Alexander-Arnold: Real Madrid right-back returns to midfield
The Real Madrid boss also referenced past attempts to shift Alexander-Arnold into midfield, including Gareth Southgate’s brief experiment during Euro 2024. He has played midfield with England and Liverpool… but he is not a midfielder, Mourinho said. Despite the challenges, the Portuguese coach acknowledged the player’s tactical understanding, adding, He has interpreted what he needed to do really well, tactically.
Van der Vaart’s Scathing Critique
Former Real Madrid and Tottenham midfielder Rafael van der Vaart delivered a blistering assessment of Alexander-Arnold’s performance, calling him slow and making poor decisions on the ball. The Dutchman criticized the England international’s positioning, stating, He’s standing in front of the defence, which isn’t his position. Van der Vaart added, It looks like he has a thumbtack in his shoe. He’s limping a bit, every ball goes wrong.
The criticism contrasted with Mourinho’s measured praise, though both agreed on the fundamental issue: Alexander-Arnold’s physicality and tactical fit remain better suited to the right-back role. The Real manager hinted at future lineup changes, saying, I prefer to say it was a crazy game… it could have easily ended 7-6, while acknowledging the team’s reliance on makeshift solutions.
A Homecoming of Sorts
Jose Mourinho delivers definitive verdict on Trent Alexander-Arnold after
Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold’s former Liverpool teammate Curtis Jones helped Inter Milan comeback from 2-0 down to win 3-2, maintaining the club’s 100 per cent record this season. Jones, who reunited with the 27-year-old at the Bernabeu, expressed his joy at being part of a team and a club like this, crediting the fans for the victory. His performance contrasted sharply with Alexander-Arnold’s, highlighting the diverging paths of the two academy graduates.
Despite his struggles, Alexander-Arnold reiterated his emotional ties to Liverpool, telling the Mirror in August, It is home to me. It’s the place that gave me the opportunities to go and do what I’ve done, and I will always love it.
The sentiment, however, did little to mask the reality of his current role at Real Madrid, where he remains an enigma under Mourinho’s system.
What Comes Next for Alexander-Arnold?
Mourinho’s comments suggest the experiment is unlikely to be repeated, with the manager hinting at a return to traditional formations. The Portuguese boss also praised new signing Yan Diomande, stating, It’s better to play with Trent and Yan Diomande than with Denzel Dumfries. This signals a potential shift in Real Madrid’s defensive strategy, though Alexander-Arnold’s future remains uncertain.
Trent Alexander-Arnold set for timely Liverpool reunion amid Real
With the Champions League group stage ongoing, the focus will now turn to Real Madrid’s next match against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. For Alexander-Arnold, the challenge remains: can he adapt to Mourinho’s system, or will his time at the Bernabeu be defined by this brief, flawed experiment in midfield?
The match itself saw Real Madrid take an early lead, with Kylian Mbappe opening the scoring and Federico Valverde capitalizing on a goalkeeping error. However, Inter Milan’s late goal in the 77th minute sparked tension, with Real fans expressing dissatisfaction. Club legend Raul acknowledged the difficulty of the win, stating, The goals came from their mistakes, while Mourinho defended his team’s performance, calling the game crazy and suggesting it could have ended 7-6.
Mourinho also addressed the physical demands of the game, emphasizing that Alexander-Arnold’s substitution was a result of his exhaustion. He didn’t have more to give, the manager explained, highlighting the challenges of transitioning from a full-back role to midfield. This aligns with the broader context of Mourinho’s tactical decisions, as he continues to navigate the complexities of his squad amid injuries and lineup adjustments.
Looking ahead, Alexander-Arnold’s role at Real Madrid remains in flux. While Mourinho has expressed confidence in his versatility, the midfielder experiment has not yielded the desired results. The manager’s comments about Yan Diomande suggest a potential shift toward a more traditional defensive setup, which could impact Alexander-Arnold’s opportunities moving forward.
For now, the focus remains on the Champions League group stage, where Real Madrid will aim to build on their narrow victory. Alexander-Arnold’s performance against Inter Milan serves as a reminder of the challenges he faces in adapting to a new system, but his ability to contribute in other roles—such as his work as a right-back—remains a key asset for the club.
