Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender refuses to give up on starting spot after impressive international display
According to a report from AS, it has been learned that Trent Alexander-Arnold is not giving up on winning back a regular starting role at Real Madrid despite Denzel Dumfries establishing himself as the preferred right-back.
The former Liverpool defender has started only three of Real Madrid’s eight matches this season, one as a midfielder, while Dumfries has been in the starting XI for six.
That has left Trent competing for a position he expected to make his own after arriving at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2025.
However, his latest performance for England has given him another opportunity to make his case.
Trent makes his England return in style
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— beIN SPORTS (@beINSPORTS) September 29, 2026
It took almost two years for the 27-year-old to return to England’s starting XI, but he made an immediate impact against the Czech Republic.
The Real Madrid defender provided the assist for Anthony Gordon’s goal, producing the type of attacking contribution that made him one of the Premier League’s most highly regarded full-backs during his Liverpool career.
For the England international, he expects performances like this to strengthen his argument for more opportunities at Real Madrid because his situation has been far less settled since his arrival.
Dumfries, who joined from Inter Milan, has quickly taken control of the right-back position, leaving him with ground to make up.
Trent believes his opportunity will come
Despite losing his place, Trent remains determined to establish himself at the Bernabeu.
The Englishman arrived in Madrid after years of producing top-class numbers and creating chances from the right side at Liverpool, and he now wants to show that same quality in Spain.
His performance against Czech Republic offered a reminder of what he can bring when given responsibility.
For now, the competition with Dumfries is unlikely to disappear, but Trent’s latest England display gives him something to build on when he returns to Real Madrid.
Real Madrid News
Mourinho sticks to his Champions League tradition ahead of Real Madrid’s clash vs AS Roma
Real Madrid are set to take on AS Roma in the UEFA Champions League on Wednesday in Italy.
Having returned from the international break with a 1-0 win over Villarreal, Los Blancos will be eager to build on it and record their second win in Europe, after beating Inter Milan last month.
Mourinho continues his tradition
And, as reported by Diario AS, the Real Madrid squad trained at Valdebebas before travelling for their Champions League fixture, just as they did during Jose Mourinho’s first spell in charge between 2010 and 2013.
The approach breaks with the usual Champions League routine of training at the opposition’s stadium on the eve of a match.
Real Madrid had largely remained an exception to this trend. Mourinho was the first to change the club’s established procedure, but after his departure in 2013, the routine had returned.
Now, the club are going back to the approach he introduced. Following the training session, the squad will fly to Rome in the afternoon.
Xabi Alonso and Arbeloa followed the same approach
Xabi Alonso revived the practice last season in order to avoid giving direct access to his team’s preparations to the opposition. After Alonso’s dismissal, Alvaro Arbeloa continued the practice.
The team travel to the opposition’s stadium for the press conference, but otherwise complete their preparations at Valdebebas before flying out a few hours later.
Exceptions are made when the journey is too long to make the routine practical, as was the case with Almaty. Rome, however, is a relatively short trip, allowing Mourinho to maintain his preferred schedule.
Real Madrid’s flight is expected to depart at around 15:00, with the pre-match press conference scheduled for 18:00 at the Stadio Olimpico.
Four expected absentees
There were no new injury concerns, with Real Madrid set to travel without four players, all of whom were already expected to miss the match.
Eder Militao has returned to group training but still needs time to regain match fitness. Meanwhile, Raul Asencio remains unavailable after undergoing surgery for a fracture in his right tibia.
Ferland Mendy is also back training with his teammates but is expected to need slightly longer than Militao before returning to action. Rodrygo remains a long-term absentee.
