Trent answered the bench. One assist and 117 touches

Trent Alexander-Arnold started Real Madrid’s first two league matches on the bench. In the third, he saw so much of the ball that it looked as though he intended to make up for all the lost time in one evening. The Englishman assisted Kylian Mbappé, registered 117 touches and reminded José Mourinho that Denzel Dumfries cannot make himself permanently comfortable on the right just yet.

A FIRST START AND AN IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

Dumfries started against Espanyol and Real Sociedad. Trent had to wait until the Málaga match for his opportunity. Mourinho rotated his team, handed the Englishman his first league start of the season and received exactly the kind of response expected from a player fighting for his place.

Alexander-Arnold registered 117 touches, attempted 96 passes and completed 87 of them. He created three chances, recovered possession six times, made four interceptions and had two attempts on goal.

His most important contribution arrived after half an hour. Trent received the ball on the right and delivered a precise cross towards Kylian Mbappé’s run into the penalty area. The Frenchman finished the move with a controlled strike to make it 3-0.

There was no unnecessary extra touch and no theatrical gesture after the pass. It was a straightforward delivery that only looked easy because it had been executed perfectly.

MOURINHO RELEASED THE HANDBRAKE

Real Madrid’s high defensive line and Marc Cucurella’s presence allowed Trent to spend more time in the opposition half. He did not have to worry about every metre of space behind him and could focus on what he has done best for years: building attacks, increasing the tempo and delivering the ball into the penalty area.

According to the figures published by AS, the Englishman attempted 12 crosses. He also completed 16 of his 21 passes in the final third. No Real Madrid player completed more passes over the course of the match.

Mourinho has not transformed Trent into a defensive full-back. He has done something far more sensible: organised the team so that the player’s greatest qualities do not constantly have to apologise for his weaker ones.

The Englishman did not limit himself to attacking. His six recoveries were the third-highest total in the team. One of them even came near the left touchline and earned applause from Jude Bellingham.

DUMFRIES HAS NOT DISAPPEARED AFTER ONE MATCH

One excellent performance does not settle the competition at right-back. Dumfries gives Real greater physical strength, aggression without the ball and defensive security in matches where Mourinho requires a more cautious approach. The Dutchman has started the season well and will not lose his place simply because Trent reminded everyone that he can still perform at a very high level.

The situation has changed significantly, however. After two rounds, Dumfries held the advantage and Alexander-Arnold was facing questions about his role. Following the Málaga match, Mourinho now has a genuine choice rather than one starting right-back and a famous name waiting behind him.

Trent may be the better option in matches where Real expect to dominate possession and need another playmaker. Dumfries may remain the first choice against stronger wingers and teams more likely to attack the space behind the defence.

The contest has not been decided. It has finally begun.

LAST SEASON HAS BEEN LEFT BEHIND

Trent’s first year in Madrid was disrupted by injuries and inconsistent form. The Englishman appeared in 30 of a possible 56 matches and was not even included in the squad for several important fixtures. Dumfries’ arrival therefore looked like more than an attempt to increase competition. It was also insurance for a position where Real had lacked consistency.

Mourinho reportedly began rebuilding Trent’s confidence during pre-season. The defender was among the group of players who started working with the Portuguese coach in mid-July. The effects were visible against Málaga: he played more boldly, made decisions more quickly and regularly occupied the positions associated with his best years at Liverpool.

Málaga were not the opponents who would provide the final examination for a candidate to start regularly for Real Madrid. They were, however, the opponents against whom Trent had to take his chance. He did so with few complaints.

After two matches on the bench, he was handed a start, assisted Mbappé and touched the ball 117 times. Mourinho wanted a reaction. He received one that was impossible to miss.