Raúl Asencio experienced one of his best nights as a footballer in the recent Champions League match against Manchester City. The young defender had the difficult task of facing one of the most formidable forwards in world soccer: Erling Haaland.
Despite the pressure, Asencio excelled with an outstanding performance. He not only rose to the occasion but also managed to stop the Norwegian forward's attempts on several occasions, contributing crucially to Real Madrid's defensive effort.
Asencio was part of an unprecedented defense, along with Aurélien Tchouaméni, who took the position of center-back. Meanwhile, players like Ferland Mendy and Fede Valverde took charge of the flanks, providing important coverage to prevent attacks from Pep Guardiola's team.
The defensive line-up was a strategic move by Carlo Ancelotti, who opted for a mix of youth and dynamism to face Manchester City's powerful attack.
The Possible Return of Rudiger and Alaba
However, the optimism for Asencio's good performance in that match doesn't seem enough to secure his starting position in the immediate future. According to journalist Martín Cortegana, Ancelotti has already begun planning the next return match in the Champions League.
In the press conference, the Italian coach indicated that he hopes to count on the experience of Antonio Rudiger and David Alaba for the next match. Both players could be ready to return to the starting line-up, something that changes the prospects for Asencio.
Ancelotti emphasized that he "needs" these two experienced defenders to face the rematch against City. In a team like Real Madrid, experience and knowledge in key moments are decisive factors. This makes it clear that, although Asencio has proven his worth in this match, the competition for a place in the defense remains fierce.
Asencio's Challenge: A Return to the Bench?
Despite his great performance, Ancelotti might choose Rudiger and Alaba if they recover. This would leave Asencio back on the bench, despite his outstanding performance in the first leg. Ancelotti isn't swayed by just one good performance; he also values experience and long-term consistency.
If Rudiger and Alaba are available, Asencio could remain on the bench, despite his great performance against City. Ancelotti's need for players with more experience in this type of knockout stage could be a determining factor.