Carlo Ancelotti has made the final decision: He is opening the exit door to Raúl Asencio. It's been shown again during the Spanish Super Cup semifinal against Mallorca, as he remained on the bench once again. The academy player wasn't chosen for the starting line-up to join Rüdiger, with the German having Tchouaméni as his partner.
This has been the general trend in recent matches: Carlo Ancelotti doesn't trust Raúl Asencio and prefers to use Tchouaméni as a converted center-back. If he wants to stay, the academy player already knows he'll have a passive role, replacing starters in less significant matches. It's a role he accepts, although he would be delighted to be a starter, considering he deserves it.
Apart from that, there haven't been more surprises in Carlo Ancelotti's starting eleven to face Mallorca. In goal, he is starting with Courtois, while the defense was completed with Lucas Vázquez, Rüdiger, and Mendy. In midfield, the chosen pivot was Valverde, joined by Camavinga and Bellingham. Meanwhile, the attack was completed by Rodrygo, Vini Jr, and Mbappé.
Raúl Asencio Has an Open Door to Leave Real Madrid: Ancelotti's Decision
Carlo Ancelotti has been honest with Raúl Asencio. He's encouraged him to keep working as he has been, but also warned him there won't be a final reward. The Italian turned to Asencio out of wingere necessity. The long-term injury of David Alaba was joined by those of Carvajal, Militão, and Tchouaméni in the same period.
He left a particularly good impression in his Anfield test, which he passed with honors. However, Tchouaméni returned and the dream ended there. Asencio went back to being Cinderella.
Now, additionally, David Alaba has returned. This means that, if the Austrian defender responds well, Ancelotti won't need to experiment with Tchouaméni to cover the center-back position. Carletto warned Asencio that he didn't see him as a center-back. He said that, if he used him again, it would be during the right-back rotations, which Carvajal has left vacant until next season.
The situation isn't easy for Raúl Asencio, who might see his dream of staying at Real Madrid in jeopardy. Ancelotti is clear: Even a converted Tchouaméni is ahead of him. He's proven it again during the match against Mallorca.