Real Madrid dressing room ‘calm’ amid troubling situation

Raul Asencio’s breakthrough into Real Madrid’s senior team was met with excitement and high expectations, as the 21-year-old’s rise to the first team was impressive, considering that very few youth players make it to this level at such a young age. 

His inclusion in the starting lineup came primarily because of the absence of key players like Eder Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni, but his performances quickly proved he had more to offer. 

When Militao suffered an injury against Osasuna, Asencio stepped in and delivered solid performances. His contributions earned him starting spots in several key matches, including games against Leganes, Liverpool, Getafe, and Athletic Bilbao. 

However, after the match against Athletic Bilbao, Asencio seemed to disappear from the starting lineup as Tchouameni recovered from his injury. The French midfielder ultimately reclaimed his position, pushing Asencio to the bench.

Tchouameni’s numbers are disappointing

Since Tchouameni’s return, he has started in each of Real Madrid’s last three matches in all competitions. However, during this period, the team has conceded five goals, with their only clean sheet coming in a match against Girona. 

In contrast, during the five matches Asencio played, the team conceded less than one goal per match, with just four goals conceded in total. 

Asencio even played in the final minutes of the games against Girona and Atalanta, and in both instances, Real Madrid did not concede a goal.

A look at Asencio’s numbers

Looking at the numbers, it is clear that Asencio’s presence on the field has had a positive impact. In the six league matches Real Madrid played since his debut, Asencio started in three matches and came on as a substitute in two others. 

In those five appearances, the team conceded only two goals, kept four clean sheets, and won four matches. The one game where Asencio did not play resulted in a draw and three goals conceded (Rayo Vallecano).

For a time, it seemed as though Asencio had firmly established himself as a reliable option in the first team. His performances suggested that Real Madrid had finally found a young player capable of making an impact at the highest level. 

However, despite his solid contributions, manager Carlo Ancelotti chose to remove Asencio from the starting lineup, opting instead for Tchouameni, a decision that has sparked some criticism from the fans.

Questionable decisions

After Real Madrid’s match against Rayo, Ancelotti addressed some of the defensive lapses during the game. 

He admitted that the team had struggled with physical dominance, but he also praised Tchouameni for his composure and creativity with the ball. 

Ancelotti was quick to clarify that Tchouameni’s role was not as a regular starter, but rather as a temporary solution due to the injuries to other players.

Although Ancelotti acknowledged Tchouameni’s promise, he made it clear that Asencio’s absence from the starting lineup was not a reflection of his quality but a matter of tactical choices. 

Ancelotti pointed out that Tchouameni had been put into the starting role as an emergency measure and that he would reassess the situation once the full squad was available. 

He expressed confidence in Asencio, stating that he could always rely on him and that the player had shown the ability to make the right decisions on the ball.

Back to square one?

Despite these reassurances, the question remains: why is Asencio, who was once a regular starter, no longer in the lineup? At this point, it appears that Asencio will need to prove himself once again if he is to earn his place back in the starting XI. 

When given the opportunity, he must demonstrate that he is capable of forming a strong defensive partnership with Antonio Rudiger, something he has done in the past.

Additionally, Real Madrid will face even greater competition for starting spots once David Alaba returns at the beginning of 2025. With more players vying for positions, Asencio’s ability to stand out will be crucial. 

His performances in the upcoming matches will likely determine whether he can maintain his spot in the team or if he will once again find himself on the bench. 

The youngster has already shown he has the talent to succeed at this level, but whether he can continue to prove himself as a dependable option for Ancelotti remains to be seen.