Online Reporter
JOSE MOURINHO struggled to hide his frustration after Trent Alexander-Arnold whacked a pass straight out of play last night.
The Portuguese boss took charge of a competitive Real Madrid match for the first time in 4,380 days as they travelled to Espanyol.
Jude Bellingham fired the Spanish giants in front on just nine minutes, only for the hosts to level via Alex Calatrava on the half hour.
As Real chased a winner in the second half, Mourinho threw on ex-Liverpool star Alexander-Arnold for Denzel Dumfries with 10 minutes remaining.
Barely five minutes later, the full-back attempted a raking switch of play over to Vinicius Jr.
Unfortunately for Alexander-Arnold, he miscued the pass and sent it straight out into touch.
Sat in his seat, Mourinho could be seen waving his arms in frustration.
Commentating on the match, ex-Arsenal midfielder Stewart Robson said: “That hasn’t done Alexander-Arnold any favours, that’s for sure.”
Lead commentator Ian Darke then added: “That looked like an expression of faint disgust.”
Alexander-Arnold signed for Real Madrid last year with a view to being the long-term Dani Carvajal replacement.
But his debut Bernabeu season didn’t go to plan, with club chiefs feeling the need to recruit right-back Denzel Dumfries from Inter Milan.
Alexander-Arnold, 27, has played 36 times for Real Madrid to date, laying on seven assists.
According to The Athletic, Mourinho immediately asked club bosses to sign a right-back upon taking the job in May. They add that the 63-year-old wants to give Alexander-Arnold an opportunity in midfield, as Gareth Southgate did while England boss. After Alexander-Arnold’s gaffe, Real Madrid did go on to grab a late winner at Espanyol.
Carlos Espi scored in the 90th minute following a mazy run by Kylian Mbappe to get Mourinho off to a winning start.— Sun.
