Trent Alexander-Arnold already showing signs of old class in Real Madrid shirt even if he's put a new name on the back
T
RENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was caught up in a Club World Cup clash far more dramatic than anyone could have predicted as he made his Real Madrid debut.
The ex-
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12
Trent Alexander Arnold launched his Real Madrid career on the right of defence as an inverted wing-back
Credit: Alamy
12
He drifted into midfield when Real had the ball
Credit: Getty
And the
He saw Gonzalo Garcia slot a brilliant team goal to launch
But former
Al-Hilal were furious with a spot-kick award against Mohammed Al Qahtani when his arm went across Fran Garcia's face on the corner of the box in the 90th minute.
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READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
But ex-
Meanwhile, TAA was not just in a new top, he had a new moniker on the back - simply "Trent".
So was his first Real game just as straightforward?
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Most read in Football
Here's our man
STEVE BRENNER
's verdict on the 26-year-old's performance.
12
Alexander-Arnold outshone the very quiet Jude Bellingham
Credit: Getty
12
He was heavily involved up and down the right side
12
TAA is looking forward to his future - with something new on his back
Credit: Getty
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An attacking threat?
With the searing afternoon temperatures in Miami edging closer to a sweltering 33 degrees, the tempo of the game was a long way off the standard intensity.
12
Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals he's been 'waiting a long time' to join Real Madrid
For most of the first half, Alexander-Arnold, along with his new pals, tried to conserve energy when possible.
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But it was his initial pass deep in his own half that started the move which ended with Gonzalo Garcia's 34th-minute opener.
The England international pumped his fists into the air when the ball hit the back of the net.
Early in the second half, he found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, but the killer pass just eluded him.
He also appeared to operate slightly more centrally after the break as Real searched for a winner.
Advertisement
Defensively sound?
The former Liverpool man was operating in an inverted wing-back role, which saw him largely tuck inside closer to the centre-back pairing of fellow new boy
When the Spanish giants were in possession, TAA drifted into midfield and was on hand to try and penetrate a robust Al-Hilal backline.
He made a couple of key interceptions as the first half wore on — including one which helped set up the opener — and looked defensively solid.
12
Alexander Arnold was straight into the thick of the action
Credit: Alamy
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12
This graph shows how he never switched flanks
12
The Three Lions ace looked solid defensively
Has he settled in already?
Certainly looked that way. Having fellow England international
With Alonso also starting afresh in the Spanish capital, everyone, including Trent, is beginning with a clean slate.
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Any surprises/anything new?
Just having 'TRENT' on the back of his shirt was a new look for the 26-year-old.
At Liverpool, and for England, the Scouser was the main man for free-kicks. But when one was given on 57 minutes, it was Turkish ace Arda Güler who stepped up—and subsequently failed to deliver.
His race was run after 64 minutes, with Alonso keen to bring on fresh legs, but the sparks from his debut were promising enough.
What did he say about it?
"It's an incredible day for me to make my Real Madrid debut. It's something almost every player dreams of so to be able to achieve it is huge for me.
Advertisement
"Of course, there's some disappointment in there because we haven't won the game. It's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player is to want and expect to win every game that you play in.
"It's disappointing not to win. But there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half."
On the support...
"Incredible. I felt the support from the moment I signed for the club. It's absolutely sensational. The fanbase that is truly global all over the world. You feel it every single day, the fans at the training ground and the hotel and on social media.
Advertisement
"It's a huge thank you for that. We dominated the stands today, which was incredible. The support was truly amazing."
On the game...
"I think in the second half we kept the ball really well - that is what we lacked in the first half.
"In this heat, it is important to keep hold of the ball as best as you can. We were in and around their box a lot.
Advertisement
"We put in crosses, got shots off but it just wasn't meant to be. We also had the penalty late on. These things do happen in football.
"Nobody is to blame and we take the positives, and we have things we can work on. I am sure we will do that going into the next game."
And on how long he's been learning Spanish...
"Not too long. A couple of months. It was something important that I had to do. I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible going to a new country, new city and new team.
Advertisement
"It is important to show the intent that I want to embrace the culture, immerse myself in it and try to adapt as best as possible."
12
Alexander-Arnold looked at home in a clash that was also Real legend Xabi Alonso's first game back at the club as manager
Credit: Getty
12
In contrast Bellingham was largely anonymous for the Spanish giants
Credit: Getty
12
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3 hours ago
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Gonzalo Garcia, stepping in for the fever-stricken Kylian Mbappe, gave Real an early lead with a composed finish, but Ruben Neves levelled from the spot before halftime as Simone Inzaghi's men showed defensive grit and enough attacking intent to rattle their illustrious opponents. A last-gasp missed penalty from Federico Valverde summed up a day when Real's legs, and ideas, wilted in the heat and humidity at a nearly sold-out Hard Rock Stadium in Miami. RB Salzburg and Pachuca meet in the other Group H fixture later on Wednesday. Real will next face the Mexican side on Sunday, while Al-Hilal will take on Salzburg in what could prove a decisive clash for qualification to the knockout stage. With Mbappe ruled out, it was the 21-year-old Garcia who led the line for Real and he did not disappoint, while new signing Trent Alexander-Arnold was nowhere near the level that persuaded the Spanish club to lure him from Liverpool. It was Al-Hilal, however, who burst out of the blocks, swarming around the Real penalty area with early intent � though their finishing let them down at crucial moments. In the 29th minute, Salem Al-Dawsari nearly produced a moment of magic, weaving his way into the box before Aurelien Tchouameni slid in with a crucial interception to steer the ball behind. The Saudi side thought they had taken the lead shortly after, only for their celebrations to be cut short by an offside flag. Despite the heat - and with the cheapest tickets in the stadium selling for over $160 while premium seats soared beyond $950 - a vibrant crowd kept the energy high. A much-needed 30th-minute cooling break gave Real a chance to regroup, with players draping towels over their shoulders and gulping down rehydrating drinks in the sweltering heat. The short pause worked wonders. Four minutes later, Real struck. A slick team move carved open the Al-Hilal defence, and Garcia showed composure beyond his years, delicately lifting the ball over Yassine Bounou after being teed up by Rodrygo. But Al-Hilal refused to wilt. They drew level four minutes before halftime when Ruben Neves calmly slotted home a penalty after Raul Asencio pulled back Marcos Leonardo in the area. On the stroke of halftime, Al-Dawsari went close again, firing narrowly wide after latching onto a clever pass from Sergej Milinkovic-Savic to cap another flowing Al-Hilal attack. Real stepped up a gear after the restart with substitute Arda Guler's shot crashing against the bar before Bounou made a stunning reaction save to deny Garcia. A second cooling break in the 68th minute did not refresh Real and although they continued to dominate, the Al-Hilal defence held firm.
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T RENT ALEXANDER-ARNOLD was caught up in a Club World Cup clash far more dramatic than anyone could have predicted as he made his Real Madrid debut. The ex- Advertisement 12 Trent Alexander Arnold launched his Real Madrid career on the right of defence as an inverted wing-back Credit: Alamy 12 He drifted into midfield when Real had the ball Credit: Getty And the He saw Gonzalo Garcia slot a brilliant team goal to launch But former Al-Hilal were furious with a spot-kick award against Mohammed Al Qahtani when his arm went across Fran Garcia's face on the corner of the box in the 90th minute. Advertisement READ MORE IN FOOTBALL But ex- Meanwhile, TAA was not just in a new top, he had a new moniker on the back - simply "Trent". So was his first Real game just as straightforward? Advertisement Most read in Football Here's our man STEVE BRENNER 's verdict on the 26-year-old's performance. 12 Alexander-Arnold outshone the very quiet Jude Bellingham Credit: Getty 12 He was heavily involved up and down the right side 12 TAA is looking forward to his future - with something new on his back Credit: Getty Advertisement BEST ONLINE CASINOS - TOP SITES IN THE UK An attacking threat? With the searing afternoon temperatures in Miami edging closer to a sweltering 33 degrees, the tempo of the game was a long way off the standard intensity. 12 Trent Alexander-Arnold reveals he's been 'waiting a long time' to join Real Madrid For most of the first half, Alexander-Arnold, along with his new pals, tried to conserve energy when possible. Advertisement But it was his initial pass deep in his own half that started the move which ended with Gonzalo Garcia's 34th-minute opener. The England international pumped his fists into the air when the ball hit the back of the net. Early in the second half, he found himself on the edge of the box with the ball at his feet, but the killer pass just eluded him. He also appeared to operate slightly more centrally after the break as Real searched for a winner. Advertisement Defensively sound? The former Liverpool man was operating in an inverted wing-back role, which saw him largely tuck inside closer to the centre-back pairing of fellow new boy When the Spanish giants were in possession, TAA drifted into midfield and was on hand to try and penetrate a robust Al-Hilal backline. He made a couple of key interceptions as the first half wore on — including one which helped set up the opener — and looked defensively solid. 12 Alexander Arnold was straight into the thick of the action Credit: Alamy Advertisement 12 This graph shows how he never switched flanks 12 The Three Lions ace looked solid defensively Has he settled in already? Certainly looked that way. Having fellow England international With Alonso also starting afresh in the Spanish capital, everyone, including Trent, is beginning with a clean slate. Advertisement Any surprises/anything new? Just having 'TRENT' on the back of his shirt was a new look for the 26-year-old. At Liverpool, and for England, the Scouser was the main man for free-kicks. But when one was given on 57 minutes, it was Turkish ace Arda Güler who stepped up—and subsequently failed to deliver. His race was run after 64 minutes, with Alonso keen to bring on fresh legs, but the sparks from his debut were promising enough. What did he say about it? "It's an incredible day for me to make my Real Madrid debut. It's something almost every player dreams of so to be able to achieve it is huge for me. Advertisement "Of course, there's some disappointment in there because we haven't won the game. It's the mentality you need to have as a Real Madrid player is to want and expect to win every game that you play in. "It's disappointing not to win. But there were a lot of positives, especially in the second half." On the support... "Incredible. I felt the support from the moment I signed for the club. It's absolutely sensational. The fanbase that is truly global all over the world. You feel it every single day, the fans at the training ground and the hotel and on social media. Advertisement "It's a huge thank you for that. We dominated the stands today, which was incredible. The support was truly amazing." On the game... "I think in the second half we kept the ball really well - that is what we lacked in the first half. "In this heat, it is important to keep hold of the ball as best as you can. We were in and around their box a lot. Advertisement "We put in crosses, got shots off but it just wasn't meant to be. We also had the penalty late on. These things do happen in football. "Nobody is to blame and we take the positives, and we have things we can work on. I am sure we will do that going into the next game." And on how long he's been learning Spanish... "Not too long. A couple of months. It was something important that I had to do. I want to adapt and give myself the best start possible going to a new country, new city and new team. Advertisement "It is important to show the intent that I want to embrace the culture, immerse myself in it and try to adapt as best as possible." 12 Alexander-Arnold looked at home in a clash that was also Real legend Xabi Alonso's first game back at the club as manager Credit: Getty 12 In contrast Bellingham was largely anonymous for the Spanish giants Credit: Getty 12 Advertisement
