While Spain faces the Netherlands this Thursday in the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals, Luis de la Fuente has excluded Raúl Asencio from the trip.
Called up for the first time to the Spanish national team last Friday, Raúl Asencio will not make his official debut this Thursday. Despite leaving a positive impression on coach Luis de la Fuente during training, the Real Madrid star has been left out of the 23-man squad who will play the first leg of the quarter-finals against the Netherlands in Rotterdam, as revealed by Relevo. However, the 22-year-old defender is not injured. Part of the 26 players called up by the Spanish coach, Asencio has simply been left out due to a technical decision.
Luis de la Fuente’s bold choice
As UEFA regulations state, teams can only register 23 players for official matches. As he had to exclude three players for Thursday’s match against the Netherlands, Luis de la Fuente has simply decided to part ways with Yeremi Pino (Villarreal), Raúl Asencio, and Ferran Torres (Barça), the latter being injured. The only Madrid player in the Spanish squad for this break, the 22-year-old defender will have to wait longer before officially starting with La Roja.
It must be said, the coach’s decision is quite bold. In Spain, in recent weeks, the name of the young “Sergio Ramos” from Madrid has been shouted from the rooftops. Mentally and physically strong, Asencio has made a big impact with his speed for a central defender. Therefore, it is a surprise to see Luis de la Fuente choose to leave him out for the first leg of the Nations League quarter-finals against the Netherlands, who remain a formidable opponent.
Huijsen preferred by Luis de la Fuente?
It is worth noting that among the 23 out of 26 players selected to play this Thursday, the young Dean Huijsen (19 years old) is included. Another promising defender called up for the first time during this break, Huijsen has moved ahead of Asencio in the Spanish coach’s plans. Courted by Real Madrid, the Bournemouth defender can therefore start his journey with La Roja well before Raúl. It should also be noted that Pau Cubarsí from Barça is, of course, also in the list of players for Rotterdam.
A bit like with Carlo Ancelotti, where he had to fight for his starting spot due to the poor performances of other players in his position, the Málaga native will have to sit back and hope for a slip-up from the international players in his position to get back into the matchday squad. To know Luis de la Fuente’s true intentions with Raúl Asencio, we will have to wait for the return leg of these Nations League quarter-finals. If the Madrid player does not make the 23-man list or does not play despite everything he has proven, serious questions will need to be asked.
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