Real Madrid defender Trent Alexander-Arnold was reportedly dropped from the starting lineup for the Madrid derby on Sunday as a disciplinary measure for arriving late to a training session. This setback comes amid a challenging period for the former Liverpool star, who was also excluded from England's preliminary squad earlier in the week.
Disciplinary Action and On-Field Impact
According to sources from The Athletic, Alexander-Arnold's tardiness led manager Carlo Ancelotti to bench him for the crucial match against Atlético Madrid. Dani Carvajal was selected at right-back instead, with Alexander-Arnold only making a late substitute appearance in the final 15 minutes. Despite his absence from the starting eleven, Real Madrid secured a narrow 3-2 victory, with goals from Vinicius Junior (two) and Federico Valverde, while Ademola Lookman and Nahuel Molina scored for Atlético.
England Squad Exclusion Compounds Difficulties
The defender's woes were compounded on Friday when England manager Thomas Tuchel omitted him from a 35-man squad for upcoming friendlies against Uruguay and Japan. Tuchel described the decision as purely sporting, opting for alternatives like Tino Livramento, Jarell Quansah, and Djed Spence, especially with regular first-choice Reece James injured. This exclusion significantly diminishes Alexander-Arnold's chances of making the final World Cup squad, marking a stark contrast to his recent improved form at Real Madrid.
Season Overview and Adaptation Struggles
Alexander-Arnold has made 21 appearances across all competitions for Real Madrid this season, following his free transfer from Liverpool after his contract expired. Of these, 14 were starts, including six in the Champions League, where he played a key role in a notable win over Manchester City. However, his season has been marred by injury and an adaptation period, impacting his consistency and now his international prospects.
Team Dynamics and Future Implications
In the derby, Valverde was sent off late in the game, but Real Madrid held on for three points, keeping the gap to league leaders Barcelona at four points. Meanwhile, Alexander-Arnold's Madrid teammate Jude Bellingham was included in the England squad, highlighting the defender's isolated struggles. As Tuchel prepares to trim the squad further, Alexander-Arnold faces an uphill battle to regain both his club starting spot and international standing, with discipline and performance under scrutiny.
