The last few weeks for Real Madrid have been turbulent. The Kylian Mbappé case is attracting attention as the 2-0 defeat conceded this Wednesday against Liverpool hurt the Merengues. On the other hand, things are better in La Liga with three victories in a row against Osasuna (4-0), Leganés (3-0) and Getafe (2-0). If the creative and offensive aspect of the game can be improved, the Madrid club has been able to be much more reassuring defensively in its recent outings. A very good point symbolized by the takeover of a young person from the training center, Raul Asencio (21 years old).
With David Alaba still unavailable due to injury, Aurélien Tchouaméni – who can help out in this position – also absent, Raul Asencio took advantage of the rupture of Éder Militão’s cruciate ligaments against Osasuna on November 9 to replace him and make his big debut with the Merengues. Coming into play and passing Jesus Vallejo in the squad, the 21-year-old stood out with an assist for Jude Bellingham and a great performance. Starting in the last three matches, he confirmed all the potential he had glimpsed.
At Real Madrid everyone is rave
Reassuring alongside Antonio Rüdiger, tough on man and technically clean, Raul Asencio has dispelled doubts and is currently establishing himself as a reliable option for Carlo Ancelotti. A first victory for the player whose contract runs until June 2026. “He played very well, it’s a good surprise. We have to thank Raúl for the work he did with him. We need him right now.” noted Carlo Ancelotti after his first against Osasuna. Before challenging Getafe this Sunday, he further praised the young Spanish player: “Raúl Asencio deserves to start. He will fight to stay there when the others are back, he deserves it. Nothing to say about him, he is very good.»
Against the club from the Madrid suburbs, Raul Asencio once again impressed with 8 duels won out of 9 played and 71 successful passes out of 75 made. The president of Casa Blanca Florentino Perez even gave him words of encouragement according to Defensa Central : “you’re going to stay with the seniors… it looks like you’ve spent your whole life here.» Former Real Madrid player between 1995 and 2002, Álvaro Benito also praised him in comments collected by Marca : “we can say that Asencio had two good La Liga matches, less demanding… which is usually the case. But he played a great match at Liverpool. There is a footballer here. Everything about order, concentration and defensive concepts is perfectly done. It’s never messy.»
For him, the qualities of Raul Asencio have even improved his teammate and friend of the hinge Antonio Rüdiger: “this helped the game of Antonio Rüdiger, who is much more organized with Raúl at his side. He is very good at the defensive tactical level.» Aware of having a player of the future, Real Madrid is even tempted to extend him with a salary increase in order to strengthen him according to Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano. Coach Luis de la Fuente even thinks of him for the future of La Roja: “Raúl Asencio? We had already targeted him. But we also have to give it time, because we don’t want to move too quickly and anticipate events. This is very good news for his club, for the player and for Spanish football.» The only downside and not the least for Raul Asencio is this investigation for “child pornography” which concerns him. The defender is facing justice for having broadcast without consent a sexual video with a minor along with four other people, including his youth team teammates Andrés García and Ferrán Ruiz. He faces a sentence of one to five years in prison.
