Jose Mourinho gives blunt review of Trent Alexander-Arnold’s midfield performance for Real Madrid

Jose Mourinho does not see Trent Alexander-Arnold as a midfielder despite playing the English right-back in midfield for Real Madrid’s 2-1 win over Inter Milan in the Champions League. Madrid punished two costly Inter mistakes, with Kylian Mbappe and Federico Valverde scoring and goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois keeping the visitors at bay at the Santiago Bernabeu. Alexander-Arnold has shared minutes so far this season with summer signing Denzel Dumfries, and they started this game together with Dumfries at right-back and Alexander-Arnold in midfield. The 27-year-old had a quiet game before being replaced by Aurelien Tchouameni late in the second half. Mourinho credited Alexander-Arnold for his efforts, but suggested using him in midfield was not a long-term proposition. “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. “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.” Trent Alexander-Arnold in action for Real Madrid against Inter Milan (Getty) Courtois repeatedly came to Real’s rescue against an Inter side ​who arguably ⁠had the better of the contest, controlling more than 64 per cent of possession but paying for two costly defensive errors. The Belgian made a string of saves throughout the match to help preserve the hosts’ narrow victory. Alexander-Arnold was filling in due to suspensions for Eduardo Camavinga, Arda Guler and Bernardo Silva, and is expected to be back competing with Dumfries for the starting right-back position when Madrid host Rayo Vallecano on Saturday. “He has lost some balls because it is not the same to play in this position compared to at right-back,” Mourinho added. “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.” Real went ahead when Mbappe pressured Yann Bisseck into losing possession ⁠and Brahim Diaz collected the loose ball before feeding the French striker who sent it beneath the goalkeeper. Courtois then saved Hakan Calhanoglu’s powerful free ​kick before Inter ⁠goalkeeper Martinez gifted Real their second, attempting to dribble past ‌Valverde inside his goal area and allowing the midfielder to poke the ball home. Jude Bellingham missed a close-range chance before halftime and Inter maintained their pressure after the break. Carlos Augusto converted Lautaro Martinez’s low cross in the 76th minute but Real held on. “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.”