Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio has been officially ruled out of the crucial La Liga match against Girona, despite manager Xabi Alonso having expressed hope for his inclusion following the recovery of other key defensive players.
According to a report from MadridUniversal.com, Real Madrid defender Raul Asencio will not be available for the team’s clash against Girona at the Estadi Montilivi.
The match is critical as Real Madrid needs a victory to reclaim the top spot in the La Liga standings.
The team received positive news on the injury front earlier, with manager Xabi Alonso confirming the return of Antonio Rudiger, Eder Militao, and Franco Mastantuono on Saturday.
However, the club was “sweating over the availability” of Asencio, who had missed training due to gastroenteritis.
While Alonso was “hopeful” during his press conference that the defender might “still make it to the squad,” journalist Miguel Angel Diaz of COPE has confirmed that Asencio “will not be travelling with the rest of the squad and is ruled out of the match.”
This development presents a selection concern for Alonso, particularly since defenders Dean Huijsen and David Alaba are also unavailable.
The manager must now determine whether to field both Militao and Rudiger—who are both returning from injuries—or pair one of them with Alvaro Carreras or use Aurelien Tchouameni in a makeshift centre-back role.