Trent Alexander-Arnold described his Actual Madrid debut as “unimaginable” as he performed his first minutes for his new membership of their 1-1 draw with Al-Hilal on the Membership World Cup.
Alexander-Arnold performed till simply after an hour earlier than being changed by Lucas Vazquez at Onerous Rock Stadium on Wednesday.
Gonzalo Garcia had given Xabi Alonso’s aspect the lead within the thirty fourth minute earlier than Ruben Neves levelled from the penalty spot within the closing levels of the primary half.
Madrid nearly began their Group H marketing campaign with a win, solely to see Federico Valverde’s penalty within the second minute of second-half stoppage time saved by Yassine Bounou.
Alexander-Arnold himself had a blended recreation, struggling to include Al-Hilal talisman Salem Al Dawsari, however was capable of create alternatives on the different finish of the pitch.
Certainly, the England worldwide ended the match with team-high totals for closing third entries (12) and complete crosses (5, degree with Arda Guler).
Solely Valverde (17) performed extra passes within the closing third than Alexander-Arnold (16), although the full-back did lose possession 12 instances, greater than every other Madrid participant.
“It’s an unimaginable day,” he mentioned on Channel 5. “It’s one thing nearly each participant desires of. In fact, there’s some disappointment to not have gained the sport.
“The mentality you have to have as a Actual Madrid participant is to need and anticipate to win each recreation. However there have been quite a lot of positives, particularly within the second half.”
Alexander-Arnold took the time to laud the “superb” Madrid followers since his arrival from Liverpool, but additionally acknowledged there are enhancements his new workforce could make.
Alonso turned solely the fourth supervisor to attract on his Los Blancos debut in all competitions, after Fabio Capello in 1996, Jose Mourinho in 2010 and Rafael Benitez in 2015.
However Madrid dominated the match metrics, ending the competition with an anticipated targets (xG) complete of two.64 from their 19 photographs to Al-Hilal’s 1.88 from their 13 makes an attempt.
“I feel within the second half we saved the ball very well – that’s what we lacked within the first half,” Alexander-Arnold added.
“On this warmth, you will need to preserve maintain of the ball as finest as you’ll be able to. We have been in and round their field lots. It simply wasn’t meant to be.
“No one is guilty and we take the positives, and we’ve issues we will work on. I’m positive we are going to try this going into the following recreation.”
Madrid play Mexican outfit Pachuca of their subsequent Membership World Cup group recreation on Sunday earlier than rounding off their Group H marketing campaign in opposition to Crimson Bull Salzburg.
Alexander-Arnold was additionally requested about how lengthy he had been studying Spanish after talking fluently within the language at his unveiling final week.
“Not too lengthy (studying Spanish), it was one thing that was vital,” Alexander-Arnold mentioned.
“Give myself the perfect begin doable, new metropolis, new workforce, present I need to embrace the tradition, immerse myself in it, adapt as fast as doable. It was crucial to take action.”