Mourinho defends Trent Alexander-Arnold decision as Real Madrid face fixture squeeze

Jose Mourinho says Real Madrid’s interests will take priority over individual players as he dismissed reports Trent Alexander-Arnold could consider leaving during the January transfer window.

The Real Madrid manager was speaking before Sunday’s La Liga meeting with Racing Santander at El Sardinero, with the fixture coming during a demanding run of matches and away travel.

Mourinho admitted his selection decisions can create negative feelings but said the team’s needs had to come first.

“First of all, it is painful. I do not like creating negative feelings among the players; I prefer positive feelings,” he said. “But there are things more important than those feelings, and that is the team’s interests in that moment.”

He explained that he had wanted to change the midfield and bring in Fede Valverde, rather than base his decision on the players’ individual situations. Mourinho added that both Trent Alexander-Arnold and Dumfries reacted positively after he told them the change was not directed against either of them.

“Everyone will have their opportunities to play,” Mourinho said. “Valverde will not start tomorrow, but one of the other players will.”

He said Dumfries had started against Barcelona because of particular circumstances, while Trent Alexander-Arnold had played only a few minutes. Mourinho did not believe either player would ask to leave the club.

With fatigue, injuries and accumulated suspensions adding to the pressure, Mourinho said the extended season would eventually provide chances for the whole squad. He also said he did not expect to face an identical situation throughout the campaign.

Mourinho rejects defensive label

Asked whether he had become more adventurous as a coach or still favoured a defensive approach, Mourinho joked that he had become “more balanced” because he no longer worried about what other people said.

“The criticism does not affect me any more,” he said. “If they say I did this or that in Barcelona, I no longer believe those stories.”

Mourinho said the players deserved credit for what was achieved at Barcelona, while adding that he was happiest when he left a match feeling he had contributed something. He insisted he was neither more nor less attacking than before.

“The defensive coach I was at the beginning is the same one who led a team to 100 points and 120 goals or more,” he said. “I hope to achieve the same number of points and goals this season.”

He said his main change had been becoming more open to new ideas and willing to learn from what he saw, heard and discussed. “I am not stubborn,” he said. “Sometimes it is not only about listening, but trying to sense what the players are offering on the pitch.”

Real Madrid face four successive away games

Mourinho also criticised the club’s schedule, saying Real Madrid were facing an unusual sequence of four consecutive away matches.

Racing Santander are unbeaten at home, while AEK Athens will play the derby against Panathinaikos before Real Madrid travel to Athens. Mourinho said AEK could arrive in high spirits or struggling, depending on the result.

“After playing on Wednesday and arriving on Thursday morning, the difficulties accumulate,” he said. “It will be extremely difficult, but this is where our ability to adapt and deal intelligently with the circumstances appears.”

He ended with a sarcastic assessment of the fixture changes: “They compressed the schedule by two days and scheduled three matches in seven days. It is a big gift they have given us, whether from La Liga or the television channels, I do not know, but it is a gift we have to accept.”