Real Madrid sweating on fitness of defender ahead of Girona clash | OneFootball

Real Madrid must win to regain their place at the top of La Liga, but doing so against Girona will not be easy. Xabi Alonso’s side will be without the services of Dean Huijsen and David Alaba for the trip to Catalonia, and another now, it has been revealed that another central defender could be missing.

Recent injuries for Eder Militao, Huijsen and Alaba have meant that Raul Asencio has played a number of matches. The young defender was expected to be down the pecking order this season, but he has been counted upon by Alonso – more out of necessity than anything else.

However, Asencio could be absent against Girona, with MD reporting that he is suffering with a bout of gastroenteritis, which means that he is currently listed as a doubt for the match at Montilivi.

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Real Madrid are well-covered amid Asencio doubt

Ordinarily, this would be a disastrous news for Real Madrid, given the absences of Huijsen and Alaba. However, Alonso confirmed in his pre-match press conference that he will be able to count on Militao and Antonio Rudiger, with the latter set to make his first appearance in a number of months.

Despite this, there will be concerns about whether either player can play from the start against Girona – particularly Rudiger, given his extended absence. If Asencio cannot make it, it would mean that none of Alonso’s senior central defenders would be at 100% fitness, which is an issue for Los Blancos.

For now, it remains to be seen how Asencio’s situation evolves. Real Madrid will hope that he is available, but if not, it could mean that Militao and Aurelien Tchouameni are partnered alongside each other in Catalonia, which would not be an ideal situation for Alonso to have for an important match.