During their Club World Cup match on Thursday, Alonso changed Trent’s position, and it was a great move.
After genuine Madrid manager Xabi Alonso experimented with his position, Jude Bellingham said Trent Alexander-Arnold played like “the real Trent” in their Club World Cup match against RB Salzburg.
With goals from Vinicius Jr., Federico Valverde, and Gonzalo Garcia, Los Blancos defeated RB Salzburg 3-0 to guarantee their berth in the Club World Cup round of 16, and they also took first place in Group H.
Although Madrid put on a strong performance overall, many people thought that Trent Alexander-Arnold, a summer acquisition who was used in a more offensive right wing-back position, was the game’s best player in Philadelphia on Thursday night.
Between Antonio Rudiger and Dean Huijsen, Aurelien Tchouameni was moved into the centre of a back three, allowing Trent and Fran Garcia to advance more forward and participate in offensive phases.
Xabi Alonso made a wise choice, and the former Liverpool defender used some of his signature passes all throughout. As the Spanish team controlled for extended periods, he actually tried seven crosses in the first half alone.
Trent played in a more traditional full-back role under Liverpool boss Arne Slot last season, and his crosses per 90 were the fewest he had ever had in a Premier League season. However, Alonso chose to give him more freedom against Salzburg.
Fans responded to his performance in large numbers, as seen in the compilation of his performance that quickly surfaced below.
“Trent is a counterattacking machine,” one person stated. He is such an incredible threat in transition because of his passing range.
“I love the defensive shape when we are attacking,” another person wrote. This allows Trent and Fran Garcia to function efficiently. Tchouameni-Rudiger-Huijsen,” and a third said: “He was perfect out there.” “General RB.”
“That one-time cross to Valverde is unreal, man,” remarked a fourth. A fifth person commented, “Trent’s created so many attacks today bro my heart,” while another said, “literally no other player on the planet is playing that ball one time.”
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Xabi Alonso explained why he chose to use a five-man defence for the first time since Carlo Ancelotti’s replacement at his post-game news conference on Thursday night.
“The idea of being adaptable with the systems has always been in my mind,” he stated. “I believe that the players already possess enough football knowledge and culture to understand its advantages and what it can offer us.”
“I think we were very stable, mature, and had control of the game in the first half,” Alonso continued. We knew when to wait for the ideal opportunity, so we didn’t move too quickly. In a 3-2 system, I believe Toni [Rudiger] was able to press up and bring the ball out from the back.
Jude was able to provide Vinicius with the opening goal in the intermediate spaces, and we also have width. I enjoy having that flexibility, and we can utilise it as necessary.
Jude Bellingham reportedly praised Trent’s efforts during their 3-0 victory over Salzburg, as was previously mentioned. He reportedly said, “You’re already looking like the real Trent” in the dressing room, according to a report from Defensa Central.
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