Real Madrid are set to face Benfica in the second leg of the Champions League playoff round on Wednesday night, and in their latest starting lineup prediction, Diario AS have Trent Alexander-Arnold as the starting right back in the XI.
TAA starting for Real Madrid is no surprise, of course, and he needs to be a regular in the lineup going forward now that he’s healthy. Although a time share with legend Dani Carvajal seemed likely when the season started, Real have to be switching gears after watching the 34-year-old get embarrassed over the weekend by academy graduate Victor Munoz in a 2-1 loss to Osasuna at El Sadar.
Real Madrid have a 1-0 advantage on Benfica, but after losing to them in the last game of the league phase, there is no margin for error for the Kings of the Champions League.
Alexander-Arnold is going to be one of the most important players on the pitch for Real Madrid against Jose Mourinho’s side, both in keeping the Benfica attack at bay and being the eyes and ears for Real on the right side of the pitch with his perfect deliveries.
The X-Factor for Liverpool in their great Champions League sides, Alexander-Arnold has only just begun showing signs of displaying his best football with the Royal Whites.
Plus with Dean Huijsen out and Antonio Rudiger and Raul Asencio set to start in the lineup, per Diario AS, Alexander-Arnold needs to be on his best behavior defensively, too.
Joe Soriano is the editor of The Trivela Effect and a FanSided Hall of Famer who has covered world football since 2010. He’s led top digital communities like The Real Champs (Real Madrid) and has run sites covering Tottenham, Liverpool, Juventus, and Schalke. He also helped manage NFL Spin Zone and Daily DDT, covering the NFL and pro wrestling.