How the Spanish media reacted to former Liverpool vice-captain Trent Alexander-Arnold's La Liga debut on Tuesday night
MADRID, SPAIN - AUGUST 19: Trent Alexander-Arnold of Real Madrid looks on during the LaLiga EA Sports match between Real Madrid CF and CA Osasuna at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 19, 2025 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
(Image: Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)
Trent Alexander-Arnold made his La Liga debut as Real Madrid earned a narrow win against Osasuna. The defender moved to the Santiago Bernabeu from Liverpool at the start of the summer.
And after featuring five times in the Club World Cup, the England international made his first in La Liga on Tuesday night. A second-half penalty from Kylian Mbappe was enough to secure his side all three points.
Alexander-Arnold's night came to an end when he was substituted just after the hour mark for club captain Dani Carvajal, who was making his first home appearance in almost a year after recovering from an ACL injury. And below is a look at how members of the Spanish press reported on the right-back's debut.
Santiago Siguero of Marca wrote: "Real Madrid fans were expecting a more daring, less withdrawn Trent, although it's true that he's a player who shines more in the open than in situations like the one against Osasuna, with an opponent entrenched in a low block and nine players defending. Even so, Trent often found himself in the danger zone, but his decisions were almost always conservative, with safe passes that didn't seek to gain an advantage.
"Despite everything, Trent was Xabi's first choice at right back, ahead of Carvajal, whose return was celebrated at the Bernabéu with great fanfare. The Englishman's stats were acceptable (57/64 in passes, 89% accuracy), although he was weak on long balls (0/4). Carvajal improved on both metrics despite playing less than half an hour: 20/22 (91%) and 2/3 on long balls.
As the two players will be competing for one position, Siguero concluded: "The duel is on, and the captain wants to make a strong entrance into the debate."
In a piece published by Mundo Deportivo, they predicted that the Alexander-Arnold vs Carvajal battle is only going to go one way.
"Trent Alexander-Arnold made his Real Madrid debut at the Bernabeu against Osasuna , starting in the first half," the report said. "The Englishman, one of Real Madrid's signings of the season, went largely unnoticed in the match. Offensively, his strong suit, he is far from his best, the form he showed at Liverpool, which was one of the reasons Real Madrid signed him.
"Trent doesn't make the runs down the wing or deliver those crosses into the box that so enchanted him in the Premier League. He seems a bit unsure, as if he's not fully adapted to what Xabi Alonso is asking of him. In defence, meanwhile, he's as always lacking in the same gaps he had at Liverpool and showed at the Club World Cup.
"''Carvajal is going to eat him up', was one of the most common phrases heard at the Bernabeu after Trent's match. The Spanish full-back came on for the Englishman in the second half, and despite recovering from a serious injury, Carvajal showed his usual commitment, even reenacting a scene in the form of a tackle that was the same one in which the full-back was injured. Nothing happened, but it was clear that Carvajal is ready to return.
"As soon as Carvajal returns to his usual physical form, everything points to Trent becoming a regular substitute on the Real Madrid bench. That, at least, won't change until Carvajal returns."
And finally Alberto Ramirez of El Confidencial wrote: "The ball was passed from one side to the other, but the talented players were nowhere to be seen. Mbappe waged his own war, and Brahim, Xabi Alonso's choice in his first XI, didn't break his lines.
"Trent Alexander-Arnold, another league debutant, looked timid, and it was Carreras who offered solutions from the opposite flank . Real Madrid's danger came from second-step plays after crosses from the wing. The reality is that Madrid went into the break without creating a single clear chance. This speaks volumes for Osasuna's defensive work, which held Real Madrid in check.
"Trent was also replaced by Dani Carvajal, who was reunited with his fans ten months later. A standing ovation went to the Real Madrid captain, who was injured on October 5th. The Briton, meanwhile, had a lacklustre debut. Too timid with the ball at his feet."