Real Madrid are playing in Girona and Ancelotti has surprised everyone with his starting eleven. After starting five consecutive games, Raúl Asencio has been left on the bench. He had no muscle problems or fatigue, but the Italian wanted to rotate in defense. Tchouaméni came in for him, once again dropping back to the center of defense.
Instead of Raúl Asencio, Rüdiger's defensive partner at Girona has been Tchouaméni, a change that nobody at Madrid expected . The substitution of Asensio hasn't been the only surprise against Girona , as Fran García has also been left on the bench. This means that the defense is completed by both Lucas and Mendy .
This time, the defensive pivot in Girona has been Fede Valverde from the start, joined in the interior by Modric and Arda Güler. Meanwhile, in attack, Endrick has once again been a substitute, forming a trident of Mbappé, Bellingham and Brahim Díaz.
Ancelotti Benches Raúl Asencio in Girona: Surprise for Real Madrid
Nobody at Real Madrid expected Carlo Ancelotti to bench Raúl Asencio in such an important match as this one against Girona . At 21, the center-back has been key in defense after recent injuries, but the Italian has preferred to convert to a central midfielder to take his place. The truth is that nobody has believed it when they saw it reflected in the starting eleven.
There are early rumors that Ancelotti may have given Raúl Asencio the cold shoulder after his unexpected substitution in Girona . It is too early to know, as it may just be a matter of getting him rested for the match in Bergamo. Next Tuesday, Real Madrid will play a life-or-death match against Atalanta .
The truth is that the general feeling when seeing Raúl Asencio on the bench hasn't been positive at all, showing how important he has become in a matter of just a few games. Real Madrid have many problems in the center of defense and can't afford to leave a center-back of Asencio's stature on the bench... and much less to convert him into a midfielder.