Xabi Alonso Defends Trent Alexander-Arnold Ahead of Real Madrid's Match with Elche
Xabi Alonso has come out in strong support of Trent Alexander-Arnold as the English defender prepares to make just his third La Liga start of the season for Real Madrid in their upcoming away trip to Elche. Alexander-Arnold’s move from Liverpool has been far from smooth since his arrival in Spain, with a series of injuries and limited playing time hindering his progress. In fact, he has only managed a few brief appearances, including just nine minutes in Madrid’s 1-0 loss to Liverpool in the Champions League, where he faced loud boos from the home crowd. A subsequent brief stint in the goalless draw at Rayo Vallecano added to the pressure.
Despite these challenges, Alonso has reassured fans and the media that Alexander-Arnold is now fit and mentally refreshed after two weeks of intensive training during the international break. Alonso emphasized that the player is in a better state physically and ready to contribute to the team’s efforts moving forward.
Also Read:- Max Ojomoh Shines in England's Narrow Win Over Argentina
- Lions Aim to Dominate Giants in Crucial Home Matchup
Alonso was clear in his defense, stating that during the break, the team worked intensively with Alexander-Arnold to help him recover from his injuries. He acknowledged that having the 27-year-old in better form provides Real Madrid with more options in the right-back position. Alonso also highlighted the presence of other players like Fede Valverde and Eder Militao, who have the ability to fill in at right-back if needed.
While Alexander-Arnold's absence has contributed to a sense of imbalance in Madrid’s squad, Alonso has pointed to a bigger issue—the team’s lack of goals. Madrid has failed to score in their last two matches, against both Liverpool and Vallecano, and star forward Kylian Mbappe hasn’t registered a shot on target in those games. However, Alonso made it clear that the issue isn’t solely about Mbappe, but rather a team-wide problem. He remains confident that the goals will eventually come, urging his team to look for alternatives, including contributions from the wingers, midfielders, and set pieces.
In the wake of some criticism surrounding Mbappe, particularly his recent trip to Dubai during the international break despite an ankle injury, Alonso has backed his player. Mbappe had been excluded from the French national squad, but Alonso maintained that the forward’s professionalism and commitment to the team weren’t in question. France coach Didier Deschamps also spoke about Mbappe’s chronic ankle issue, reassuring that there was no major risk to his long-term fitness.
Real Madrid’s defensive situation has also had its share of setbacks, with Eder Militao picking up a minor injury while on international duty. Alonso confirmed that Militao will miss the Elche match, but he is recovering well. On a positive note, Antonio Rudiger is nearing a return to full fitness, which Alonso sees as an important boost for the team. Though Rudiger might not be available for the Elche match, he could be ready for the upcoming Champions League clash against Olympiacos.
With Barcelona’s recent victory briefly putting them on top of the table, Real Madrid must secure a win against Elche to reclaim first place. Despite the challenges, Alonso is focused on maintaining high standards and pushing his players to deliver, knowing the demands at a club like Real Madrid.
Read More:
0 Comments