Mourinho Claims Alexander-Arnold Is Not a Midfielder

Key Takeaways

• Jose Mourinho deployed Trent Alexander-Arnold in midfield against Inter Milan.
• Mourinho stated Alexander-Arnold is not a natural midfielder despite praising his tactics.
• The positional shift was driven by squad suspensions at Real Madrid.
• Alexander-Arnold created two chances but won zero tackles during the match.
• Mourinho signaled that this midfield appearance was a temporary solution.

Mourinho Clarifies Alexander-Arnold's Midfield Role

Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho has addressed Trent Alexander-Arnold's tactical position following the club's 2-1 Champions League victory over Inter Milan. Despite starting the 27-year-old in central midfield, Mourinho insisted that the former Liverpool player is not a natural midfielder.

Temporary Tactical Adjustment

Alexander-Arnold's selection in the center of the pitch came out of necessity rather than a permanent tactical shift. With key players Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, and Bernardo Silva sidelined due to suspensions, Mourinho deployed Alexander-Arnold alongside Federico Valverde.

"He has played midfield with England and Liverpool... but he is not a midfielder," Mourinho stated after the match, as reported by BBC News. "He has interpreted what he needed to really well, tactically."

Match Performance Against Inter Milan

During his second start of the season, Alexander-Arnold demonstrated both his playmaking strengths and defensive limitations:

• Chances Created: 2
• Crosses Attempted: Highest among Real Madrid players
• Passing Accuracy: 83.3%
• Tackles Won: 0

Alexander-Arnold was substituted in the 77th minute shortly after Inter Milan scored. While Mourinho expressed gratitude for the player's adaptability, he signaled that the defender will likely return to his primary right-back role as regular midfielders return from suspension.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Trent Alexander-Arnold play in midfield for Real Madrid?

He filled in due to suspensions for Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler, and Bernardo Silva.

Does Jose Mourinho consider Alexander-Arnold a midfielder?

No, Mourinho explicitly stated that Alexander-Arnold is not a midfielder despite his tactical effort.

How did Alexander-Arnold perform against Inter Milan?

He created two chances with an 83.3% passing accuracy but failed to win a tackle before being substituted.

Originally reported by BBC News. Enhanced and optimized for search by TechVeb.