Trent Alexander-Arnold Struggles to Impress in First Real Madrid Appearance Against Al Hilal
Real Madrid began Xabi Alonso's managerial tenure with a frustrating 1-1 stalemate against Al Hilal.
Following the departure of beloved manager Carlo Ancelotti, Real Madrid brought Alonso back to Madrid to revitalize a struggling squad and restore their winning ways. His inaugural challenge as head coach of the world's most prestigious club came in the FIFA Club World Cup against Saudi Pro League's second-place finishers.
The Spanish giants opened the scoring in the 34th minute when Rodrygo combined brilliantly with Real Madrid academy graduate Gonzalo García during a swift counter-attack. However, Al Hilal responded with an equalizer just seven minutes later, converting a penalty kick moments before the halftime whistle.
Los Blancos had a golden chance to secure victory in the second period, but Fede Valverde's spot-kick was denied by goalkeeper Bono. The Madrid outfit had to accept a draw in Alonso's first match as manager.
Below are three key observations from Real Madrid's FIFA Club World Cup opening encounter.
Trent Alexander-Arnold Struggles in Real Madrid Bow
Trent Alexander-Arnold was the center of attention as Real Madrid took the field at Hard Rock Stadium. The ex-Liverpool defender was given the starting role on the right side, wearing Marcelo's iconic number 12 jersey. Following a campaign where Lucas Vázquez and Fede Valverde alternated at right-back, the addition of Alexander-Arnold generated considerable enthusiasm among Madrid supporters.
However, the 26-year-old failed to make a positive impression in his first appearance. The focus quickly shifted to Alexander-Arnold's defensive vulnerabilities. Just 18 minutes into his Madrid career, the England defender carelessly headed the ball directly to Salem Al-Dawsari, who then surged past him into the attacking third.
Alexander-Arnold found himself chasing the winger, which allowed Renan Lodi to exploit the space behind and find the net for what appeared to be the opening goal. Although the strike was ruled offside, it served as an early warning sign.
There were positive moments in Alexander-Arnold's display, including several precise, penetrating passes to both Rodrygo and Vinícius Júnior in advanced positions. He also redeemed himself defensively by successfully containing Al-Dawsari during a dangerous counter-attack near halftime.
Nevertheless, given the excitement surrounding his arrival, Alexander-Arnold endured a forgettable debut. The new acquisition was substituted after just 65 minutes when Alonso brought on Vázquez.
Xabi Alonso's Surprising Team Selection Bears Fruit
With Kylian Mbappé unavailable due to illness, Alonso faced his first significant tactical decision as Real Madrid's new manager. The 43-year-old chose to field 21-year-old García instead of the Pichichi Trophy and European Golden Boot winner, a selection that caught everyone off guard.
The Real Madrid Castilla graduate justified his manager's faith in him. The young striker excelled in transition play and positioned himself perfectly to meet Rodrygo's cross inside the box. García then calmly slotted home to score the first goal of the Alonso era.
The move also highlighted Rodrygo's contribution, whose position at Real Madrid has been questioned in recent months. The Brazilian concluded the 2024-25 season with only one goal in 22 matches and frequently found himself on the bench or substituted early in crucial games.
Rodrygo appeared rejuvenated, making incisive runs down the right wing and generating opportunities for Real Madrid. His performance arguably surpassed that of Vinícius Júnior.
Should Alonso continue to trust the 24-year-old, Arda Güler may find himself relegated to substitute duties despite his excellent second-half contribution. García, meanwhile, earned the Man of the Match award for his outstanding display.
Real Madrid Briefly Tests Three-Man Defense
Alonso needed just 45 minutes in charge before switching to his preferred three-man defensive setup. The former Bayer Leverkusen coach withdrew Raúl Asencio at the interval and introduced Güler to inject more creativity into the attack.
Aurélien Tchouaméni then moved back to join Huijsen and Fran García in defense while Alexander-Arnold advanced into a more attacking midfield position. Real Madrid subsequently enjoyed their most dominant period of the match, forcing Al Hilal deep into their own territory.
Although Real Madrid couldn't find the breakthrough, they generated more scoring opportunities in the first 15 minutes of the second half than throughout the entire opening period. Without some excellent goalkeeping from Bono and the crossbar, Los Blancos would have taken the lead while operating with three center-backs.
Real Madrid returned to a four-man defense after Alexander-Arnold's substitution in the 65th minute. However, Alonso demonstrated his willingness to adapt his tactical approach, particularly when requiring greater offensive threat.
It remains to be seen how frequently Alonso will deploy a three-man defense at Real Madrid. Alexander-Arnold certainly appeared more comfortable in his advanced position than when isolated on the right flank, providing Alonso with food for thought before Real Madrid's upcoming fixture against Pachuca.