Rafael van der Vaart Criticizes Trent Alexander-Arnold After Real Madrid vs Inter Milan

Trent Alexander-Arnold Real Madrid has come under scrutiny following the club’s 2-1 UEFA Champions League victory over Inter Milan. Former Real Madrid midfielder Rafael van der Vaart was particularly critical of the England international, arguing that his performance was below the required level and that he appeared uncomfortable in midfield.

Alexander-Arnold was deployed in an unusual central midfield role alongside Federico Valverde. Instead of operating primarily from his familiar right-back position, he was asked to contribute from a more advanced area of the pitch.

The experiment did not produce Alexander-Arnold’s strongest performance. He struggled to maintain possession and appeared to have difficulty maintaining his usual influence before being replaced by Aurelien Tchouameni late in the match.

For Van der Vaart, the display raised questions about whether Alexander-Arnold should be used in that position regularly, particularly in high-level Champions League fixtures.

Van der Vaart questions Alexander-Arnold’s display

Speaking to Ziggo Sport, Van der Vaart expressed strong dissatisfaction with Alexander-Arnold’s showing against Inter. The former Netherlands international suggested that the Real Madrid defender repeatedly moved away from his expected position and appeared physically uncomfortable.

Van der Vaart also questioned the Englishman’s decision-making and ball control. In his assessment, several routine actions appeared to become unnecessarily difficult, leading to misplaced passes and turnovers.

The former Real Madrid player went as far as saying that he would have substituted Alexander-Arnold if he had been managing the team.

While the criticism was severe, it needs to be considered within the context of the tactical experiment. Alexander-Arnold was not being used in his traditional right-back role, meaning he had different positional responsibilities against a strong Inter midfield.

Alexander-Arnold was used in an unfamiliar midfield role

One of the biggest talking points from the match was Alexander-Arnold’s position. He played as a right-sided central midfielder, while Valverde operated on the left side of the midfield structure.

That role requires different movements from those expected of a conventional full-back. A midfielder must frequently receive the ball under pressure, scan for passing options, protect possession in central areas and contribute defensively through the middle of the pitch.

Alexander-Arnold has long been recognized for his passing range and ability to create opportunities from deeper positions. However, possessing those qualities does not automatically mean that playing as a traditional central midfielder will maximize his strengths.

These numbers help explain why the performance attracted criticism. Seven turnovers from only 35 touches indicates that the defender struggled to retain possession during his time on the pitch.

Why Alexander-Arnold’s role is a tactical question

Alexander-Arnold’s career has increasingly involved discussions about his potential as a midfielder. His passing ability, vision and capacity to play progressive balls have made the idea attractive to coaches and analysts.

However, central midfield places greater emphasis on receiving the ball in congested areas and making quick decisions while surrounded by opponents. The margin for error can therefore be smaller than when a player operates wider on the pitch.

Against Inter Milan, Alexander-Arnold’s unfamiliar role appeared to expose some of those difficulties. His limited number of touches and turnovers meant he struggled to establish a consistent rhythm.

That does not necessarily mean the experiment cannot work. Instead, it suggests that the role may require more adaptation and tactical support before it becomes a regular solution.

Jose Mourinho also commented on Alexander-Arnold

Van der Vaart was not the only notable football figure to discuss Alexander-Arnold’s midfield performance. Jose Mourinho also acknowledged the difficulties of using the defender in that position.

However, Mourinho’s assessment was more appreciative of the player’s willingness to perform an unfamiliar role. His comments highlighted the effort involved in adapting to a position that does not naturally suit every aspect of Alexander-Arnold’s game.

The contrasting reactions are interesting because they demonstrate two ways of evaluating the same performance. One approach focuses on the effectiveness of the role, while the other considers the player’s willingness to execute the manager’s tactical instructions.

Real Madrid still secured a 2-1 Champions League victory

Despite Alexander-Arnold’s struggles, Real Madrid came away from the fixture with a 2-1 victory over Inter Milan.

The result gives the Spanish giants a positive start to their Champions League campaign and provides momentum for the matches ahead. Individual performances will naturally continue to be analyzed, but the most important immediate outcome for Madrid was securing the victory.

For Alexander-Arnold, the result also means his difficult individual display did not prevent the team from collecting the desired result.

Kylian Mbappe has another Champions League dream at Real Madrid

The match also provided another opportunity for Kylian Mbappe to discuss one of his biggest ambitions since joining Real Madrid.

After scoring during the 2-1 victory, Mbappe reiterated his desire to win the Champions League with the Spanish club. The French forward has described playing for Real Madrid as a dream, making European success at the Santiago Bernabeu a particularly important personal objective.

Mbappe’s comments underline the importance of the Champions League to his Real Madrid project. Although he has already achieved major individual success, winning Europe’s biggest club competition with Madrid remains a significant target.

Mbappe wants to win the Champions League at Real Madrid

Mbappe joined Real Madrid from Paris Saint-Germain in June 2024 with the Champions League among the major trophies he would have hoped to compete for.

Since his arrival, however, he has not lifted the trophy with Madrid. PSG have won the previous two Champions League titles, making the contrast particularly notable given Mbappe’s former connection with the French club.

That history adds motivation to Mbappe’s current campaign. He is not only trying to help Madrid challenge for another European crown but also attempting to achieve a personal objective at the club he has long described as his dream destination.

Mbappe also has the Golden Boot in his sights

Alongside his team ambition, Mbappe will also be aiming to finish the Champions League campaign as the competition’s leading scorer.

His scoring record makes that target realistic, although he faces competition from some of Europe’s most prolific forwards. The pursuit of the Golden Boot could add another individual storyline to Madrid’s European campaign.

The combination of team and personal goals makes Mbappe one of the central figures to watch throughout the Champions League season.

How Real Madrid can handle Alexander-Arnold’s role

The challenge for Real Madrid’s coaching staff is finding the best way to use Alexander-Arnold’s technical strengths without exposing him to situations that reduce his effectiveness.

His passing ability can be extremely valuable when he has time and space to dictate play. From wider areas, he can also use the full width of the pitch and deliver passes toward attacking players.

Central midfield, by comparison, demands constant involvement in both directions. If Madrid wants to continue experimenting with Alexander-Arnold there, the team may need to provide sufficient defensive coverage and clear positional instructions.

• Use his passing range: Give Alexander-Arnold opportunities to influence attacks from deeper areas.
• Provide midfield protection: Additional defensive support could reduce the pressure on him centrally.
• Maintain positional clarity: Clear instructions can help him adapt to the responsibilities of midfield.
• Consider his natural position: Right-back remains a familiar role where his strengths are well established.

Alexander-Arnold’s next performances will be important

One difficult match should not determine the long-term assessment of a player. Alexander-Arnold has enough technical quality and experience to respond positively in subsequent fixtures.

The key question is whether Real Madrid continue using him centrally or return him to a position where he has historically been more comfortable.

If the midfield experiment continues, his performances in upcoming matches will provide a much better indication of whether the tactical change can become a successful part of Madrid’s system.

Final Verdict

Rafael van der Vaart’s criticism highlights the tactical challenge surrounding Trent Alexander-Arnold’s role at Real Madrid. The England international struggled during the 2-1 Champions League win over Inter Milan, recording 35 touches, giving the ball away seven times and leaving the field in the 79th minute.

However, his performance needs to be viewed in the context of an unfamiliar central midfield assignment. Whether the role becomes a regular feature will depend on how successfully Alexander-Arnold adapts and how Real Madrid structure the midfield around him.

Meanwhile, Kylian Mbappe’s goal and renewed Champions League ambition provide another major storyline for Madrid. The Frenchman wants to win Europe’s biggest club trophy at the Santiago Bernabeu and also has his sights on finishing as the competition’s leading scorer.

For Real Madrid, the early victory provides a strong foundation. The bigger challenge now is finding the right tactical balance so that players such as Alexander-Arnold can maximize their strengths while Mbappe continues leading the team’s European ambitions.