Xabi Alonso has confirmed that Trent Alexander-Arnold is “ready” to make his starting debut for Real Madrid in their upcoming match against Rayo Vallecano this Sunday. After a challenging return to Anfield, where he played just nine minutes in a 1-0 loss to Liverpool, the England international is set to step into the spotlight following his recovery from a hamstring injury.
Alexander-Arnold’s season has been marred by limited playtime, accumulating only 165 minutes since his summer transfer from Liverpool. The talented right-back faced a hostile reception during his return to Anfield, being booed by the home crowd in a match that marked his first appearance since September. Competing for his position with Dani Carvajal, who is currently sidelined with an injury, and midfielder Federico Valverde, who has filled in at right-back, Alexander-Arnold is eager to establish himself within the squad.
Alonso’s Confidence and Tactical Options
In a press conference ahead of the match, Alonso expressed his confidence in Alexander-Arnold’s readiness, stating, “Yes, Trent is ready; he’s been training for a few weeks. Tomorrow you’ll know if he starts or not.” He acknowledged Valverde’s adaptability but emphasized the importance of having multiple options available. “He’s always ready to help the team. It’s an option we have,” Alonso added.
The young defender has long been on Madrid’s radar, and while his impact has been limited thus far, expectations remain high. The recent loss to Liverpool adds pressure as Madrid looks to bounce back from a series of disappointing results under Alonso’s management. This includes a heavy defeat against Paris Saint-Germain in the Club World Cup semifinal and a derby loss to Atlético Madrid, though they did secure a notable victory against Barcelona last month.
Analyzing Madrid’s Performance
When questioned about Madrid’s performance metrics against Liverpool—specifically their lower distance covered compared to their opponents—Alonso urged perspective. “You have to put it in context,” he remarked. “We’ve had all kinds of games. You have to look at how the game went; you can’t make a definitive judgment on just one game.” His focus now shifts to ensuring consistency as they prepare for their clash at Vallecas.
As Real Madrid heads into this fixture sitting atop La Liga with 30 points from 11 matches—five points clear of second-placed Barcelona—Alonso’s leadership will be crucial. He addressed comments made by former Madrid player Gareth Bale regarding managing egos within the team: “It’s a dressing room with great players. We’ve started a new project; I’m very happy, and we’re making progress.”
With the stakes high and the squad looking to regain their form, all eyes will be on Alexander-Arnold as he aims to make his mark in this critical matchup against Rayo Vallecano.
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