Fede Valverde scored in the 28th minute as Real Madrid defeated Valencia 2-0 at Mestalla on Saturday. The captain, operating at right-back, controlled the ball 20 metres out and fired a low strike past the goalkeeper after Kylian Mbappe's free-kick was blocked. Arda Guler added a second goal eight minutes later to extend the lead at the break.
Trent Alexander-Arnold remained on the bench as Mourinho continued deploying Valverde in the unfamiliar position. The Uruguayan completed 26 of 29 passes in the first half with 32 touches, while Real Madrid dominated possession at 75 percent. Valverde has started at right-back in five consecutive matches across all competitions.
Alexander-Arnold has managed only 435 minutes across all competitions this season, with four La Liga starts. The England international was an unused substitute in Real Madrid's last three Champions League matches and has appeared only once since Valverde's positional shift began. Mourinho stated before the Racing Santander match that "everyone will play" eventually, but the winning streak has limited squad rotation.
