Jose Mourinho offered a candid assessment of Trent Alexander-Arnold's display in midfield after Real Madrid edged past Inter Milan 2-1 in the Champions League at the Santiago Bernabeu, making clear he does not view the England international as a genuine midfielder despite his contribution to the result.
With Real missing Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva through suspension, manager reshuffled his lineup by deploying Alexander-Arnold centrally while summer arrival Denzel Dumfries took up the right-back role. The 27-year-old put in a subdued shift before being withdrawn for Aurelien Tchouameni late in the second half.
Speaking after the match, Mourinho acknowledged the effort Alexander-Arnold put in but was unambiguous about where his best qualities lie. "I thank Trent Alexander-Arnold for his efforts to play in a position that is not his," Mourinho said. "It's very clear that his qualities are made for the full-back position, not for midfield. He has played midfield with England and Liverpool ... but he is not a midfielder."
The Portuguese coach did credit both Alexander-Arnold and Federico Valverde for their tactical discipline in unfamiliar territory. "He has played very well. He has interpreted what he needed to really well, tactically. Both him and Valverde have worked very well at this level," he added, while also pointing to the physical toll the switch took on the Englishman. "He has lost some balls because it is not the same to play in this position compared to at right-back. The intensity of physical work is quite difficult. He has a different engine. He has given 100 per cent. He left the pitch with nothing left to give."
Alexander-Arnold is now expected to return to competing with Dumfries for the starting right-back spot when Real host Rayo Vallecano on Saturday.
On the pitch, Real capitalized on defensive lapses from their Italian visitors to secure the win. The hosts broke the deadlock when Kylian Mbappe pressed Yann Bisseck into surrendering possession, with Brahim Diaz picking up the loose ball and setting up the French forward, who slotted it past the goalkeeper.
Inter goalkeeper Josep Martinez then denied Hakan Calhanoglu's thunderous free kick was saved by Thibaut Courtois, before the visitors handed Real a second goal moments later. Martinez attempted to dribble the ball out of his own box under pressure from Valverde but lost control, allowing the Uruguayan midfielder to tap home into an empty net.
Jude Bellingham squandered a golden opportunity from close range just before the interval, and Inter continued to press after halftime, dominating large spells of the second period and finishing with over 64 per cent possession. Their persistence was rewarded in the 76th minute when Carlos Augusto converted a low cross from Lautaro Martinez to reduce the deficit, but Real held firm for the remainder of the contest.
Courtois was instrumental in preserving the narrow victory, producing a string of important saves throughout the ninety minutes to frustrate Inter's attacking efforts. Valverde, who scored the decisive second goal, was quick to single out his goalkeeper for special praise afterward. "I think we played a great first half but I don't deserve the MVP award today," Valverde told Spanish broadcaster Movistar Plus. "Courtois deserved it because he saved us with an extraordinary performance."
The result keeps Real Madrid's Champions League campaign on track as they continue their pursuit of continental success this season.
Based on reporting from Independent Football.