Last season, one of Real Madrid 's only bright spots was Raul Asencio. Taking advantage of the numerous injuries to David Alaba and Eder Militão, the young Spanish defender worked his way through the Madrid defense to become a regular under Carlo Ancelotti. A tremendous accomplishment for a player who wasn't necessarily cut out for such a high-flying role when he first started out. But as is often the case in football, the first season at the top level isn't the most difficult.
Indeed, the hardest part is often confirming your form during your second season. And after a successful first season with the Merengues, the central defender is having a disastrous start to his second year. Playing in the centre-back position alongside Dean Huijsen, the 22-year-old is struggling greatly at the Club World Cup. While his new teammate is shining alongside him, Asencio has performed poorly in the first two matches in the United States.
Courtois seriously reframes Raul Asencio
Against Al-Hilal, the Merengues' number 35 was one of the biggest culprits in the draw against Al-Hilal, conceding a penalty in the first half. It was a huge disappointment for the player, who came off in the 46th minute. However, Xabi Alonso has renewed his confidence in the young Spanish defender, who was once again disastrous this Sunday evening against Pachuca. Caught off guard by veteran Salomon Rondon, the Las Palmas native committed an avoidable foul that earned him a red card in the 7th minute. This error has provoked the ire of the Spanish media.
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🗣️ “Son dos veces el mismo error, pero él lo sabe y no hay problema”
— DAZN España (@DAZN_ES) June 22, 2025
Thibaut Courtois nos atiende en el descanso y valora la roja a Raúl Asencio@FIFACWC | Todos los partidos gratis en https://t.co/OFe1FpBGjK #TakeItToTheWorld pic.twitter.com/iuYBIScgsD
Criticized in all columns of the Iberian media, Asencio was also vilified by his own teammate, Thibaut Courtois: " It's two matches and two times the same mistake. They may be very minor errors, but we have to be a little smarter. We can't make these kinds of mistakes. But hey, he knows it, and that's very good. We're going to fight for him, to win without him. And when he comes back, we'll continue to win. " A warning message for Raul Asencio who is clearly in the hot seat with Xabi Alonso who will surely not be very patient with him and who will soon benefit from the return of Antonio Rüdiger who should quickly become a starter again given the blunders of his young teammate.
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