The 22-year-old Spanish defender, Raul Asensio, is falling into a slump at Real Madrid. Just before the 26th matchday of La Liga against Real Betis, Carlo Ancelotti confirmed the bad news for the young defender.
It was expected, Carlo Ancelotti is a coach loyal to his principles. Known for his management focused on protecting his squad, the Italian coach never turns his back on his key players. This season, he has proven it more than once by starting Aurélien Tchouaméni in his preferred eleven multiple times, even when the French player was clearly out of form. Ultimately, he was right, as the 24-year-old midfielder is shining once again. In recent days, there were fears of Raul Asensio being sidelined, despite having proven multiple times that he deserves a starting place in the Madrid team.
The return of David Alaba sends Asensio to the bench
Despite his above-average performances, Raul Asensio finds himself on the bench this Saturday. In the match of the 26th matchday of La Liga at Benito Villamarin in Seville, Carlo Ancelotti preferred to field a defence of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba. Returning from injury after more than a year without playing, the Austrian defender, who remains one of the Italian coach’s trusted men, will once again gain playing time. While this is good news for him, it is not the case for Asensio.
As feared by several observers, the 22-year-old defender will not retain his starting position as long as the veterans are present. Today, it is clear that with Carlo Ancelotti, young players will not have the opportunity to play leading roles. It must be said, Asensio has sufficiently proven that he should play as a starter at Real Madrid despite the competition. When we know that Alaba is ageing and not necessarily at his best today, there would be no scandal in seeing him come on as a substitute rather than starting every match.
What will happen with the return of Eder Militao?
Raul Asensio was discovered as one of the best central defenders currently being courted by teams like Paris Saint-Germain and others, thanks to Militao’s cruciate ligament rupture in November last year. Another trusted player of Carlo Ancelotti, the Brazilian defender is expected back at the end of the season. If he returns next season, Militao should normally resume his starting place in the centre. Added to David Alaba, who is already back in Carlo Ancelotti’s plans, Raul Asensio will clearly lose playing time.
As Marca indicates, Florentino Pérez shows full support for the young central defender who experienced a tumultuous evening at Real Sociedad last Wednesday in the Copa del Rey semi-final with hostile chants. While Real Madrid plans to extend his contract for several additional years, Asensio will likely have to settle for a secondary role in the team as long as Carlo Ancelotti is the coach. Bad news indeed.
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