The Clásicos of next season promise intense emotions. A very personal duel is already starting to heat up from England. A duel with history, with painful memories for one... and pleasant ones for the other.
Real Madrid has signed Trent Alexander-Arnold as one of its major reinforcements for the new season. A full-back with offensive talent, refined technique, and exceptional vision. But also with a weakness that has already been exposed on several occasions: one-on-one defending.
A dribbler who exposed him
On November 25, 2023, in a match between Manchester City and Liverpool, the world witnessed an unforgettable image. Jeremy Doku, just 21 years old, humiliated Alexander-Arnold with a display of dribbling.
He managed to get past him twelve times in the same match. Never before had a Liverpool defender suffered anything like it in the Premier League.
That match damaged the defensive reputation of Real Madrid's new signing. A wing-back with the soul of an attacking midfielder, but without the strength and focus required of an elite full-back against unbalancing wingers. That is precisely the scenario awaiting him in Spain.
Rashford doesn't forget... and wants to do it again
Many fans also remember the goal Marcus Rashford, with Manchester United, scored against Liverpool in 2018. It was a stunning goal.
A perfect slalom at Old Trafford, leaving Alexander-Arnold behind with a devastating change of pace. The English defender was left outmatched, his balance broken after the feint, and the United forward finished with class. It made the front page of every media outlet in the country.
That duel will return in the Clásicos. Rashford, more motivated than ever after being overlooked at United, wants to shine at Barça. Nothing excites him more than facing his favorite victim again.
His recent gestures on social media, commenting on Trent's signing for Madrid with a smiling emoji, have set off the alarm.
Florentino bets on risk
Florentino Pérez knew what he was signing. Alexander-Arnold is not Cafú or Dani Carvajal.
His strength is not in tackling or marking. He is a creative player from the back, but very vulnerable when opponents target his weaknesses.
At Bernabéu, they trust that, surrounded by powerful center-backs and with good coverage, his shortcomings will be masked. Rashford thinks otherwise.
The Barça forward is already preparing for the duel. He is looking forward to it. He has that Old Trafford play etched in his memory.
He wants to do it again. This time, with the whole world watching, with Mbappé in front of him and wearing Barça's jersey.