Real Madrid are going through a delicate situation at the heart of their defence, and one of their most in-form players is doing so at considerable personal risk.
According to an update from MARCA, centre-back Raul Asencio is currently playing through a stress fracture, a type of injury that typically requires a recovery period of six to eight weeks.
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Despite medical caution, Asencio has made the conscious decision not to stop playing.
The reason is is that Real Madrid’s defensive unit is already severely weakened, and his absence would leave the team in a critical situation.
With injuries piling up at the back, the coaching staff is stretched for options, and the young defender has stepped up when the team needs him most.
If Asencio were to stop now and undergo a full recovery, Dean Huijsen and David Alaba would be the only available centre-backs.
That scenario is far from ideal, especially considering that Alvaro Arbeloa currently views Asencio as his most reliable and best-performing defender.
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What happened to Asencio?
Raul Asencio has been playing through pain. (Photo by Denis Doyle/Getty Images)
The risk became evident in the recent match against AS Monaco, when Asencio had to be substituted. Even then, the context forced a difficult decision.
With Real Madrid already dealing with multiple defensive injuries, the academy graduate chose to continue playing rather than step aside, fully aware of the potential consequences.
As reported before, he has been playing through pain caused by a crack in his tibia since the beginning of the season.
Internally, the club understands how damaging it would be to lose him now. The central defence is already stretched to its limits, and Asencio’s absence could severely disrupt the balance of the team.
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Faced with the choice between protecting his own health and helping the group through a difficult period, the defender made himself clear.
When the situation was explained to him, his response was direct and uncompromising. “I’m not stopping now, not a chance,” he said when the situation was presented to him.
Asencio is fully aware that he is taking a gamble, but it is one he is willing to accept.
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