Raúl Asencio arrived at the Club World Cup as Real Madrid's breakout center-back. Xabi Alonso trusted him and he seemed to have secured a starting spot. But everything changed in a matter of minutes.
In his debut, he committed a childish penalty and ended up being sent off. Two major mistakes have crushed him emotionally and have set off the alarm in Valdebebas.
From undisputed starter to fourth center-back
Just a month ago, Asencio was considered Xabi Alonso's first-choice center-back. His physique, speed, strength, and good tactical positioning convinced the coach. But his rookie mistakes have weighed too heavily.
Today, the defender has fallen to the bottom of the rotation, behind Huijsen, Rüdiger, and Militao, who's back now. It's a tough blow for the academy graduate, who's going through his worst moment since he was promoted to the first team.
Huijsen stands up for his teammate
The first to notice Asencio's emotional slump was Dean Huijsen. The Dutch center-back, who's made the most of his opportunity, decided to step up and went straight to talk to Xabi Alonso.
According to sources close to the locker room, he conveyed the squad's concern to the coach: "He's having a terrible time. He's devastated."
Huijsen asked Alonso to try to help the player recover, not to let him fall. His message was clear: the team needs everyone and Asencio deserves a second chance.
Xabi Alonso, between trust and concern
Xabi Alonso is aware of Asencio's potential. He still likes his profile: strong in one-on-ones, quick to intercept, and well positioned. But he doesn't tolerate unforced errors, especially in high-stakes matches like those at the Club World Cup.
The coach has shown understanding, but he doesn't plan to give away minutes. If he wants to be important again, Asencio will have to earn it from the bottom up.
Madrid needs to get everyone back
The season is long and demanding. The defense will be key if the team wants to fight for every title, which is why Xabi Alonso knows he can't afford to lose soldiers along the way. Asencio has been demoted, but he's not out of the picture.
Everything now depends on his mentality and his ability to overcome this rough patch. Huijsen, his defensive partner, has shown that he doesn't plan to leave him alone