Reason why Real Madrid defender misses out against Atletico Madrid – report | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s squad announcement for the crucial La Liga clash against Atletico Madrid did not bring many surprises at first glance, but one absence quickly stood out.

Raul Asencio was expected to be included in the squad, especially after returning to training in recent days. However, his name was missing, raising questions ahead of such an important fixture.

According to a report from AS, the reason behind his absence is precautionary rather than serious. 

What’s the story?

As per the outlet, the defender has been dealing with a minor issue since the match against Celta Vigo earlier this month. While he has shown signs of improvement and even rejoined group training, he has not yet fully recovered.

The coaching and medical staff made a joint decision to leave him out of the squad to avoid any unnecessary risk. 

Allowing him to play could have led to a relapse, something Real Madrid are keen to avoid at this stage of the season. 

Instead, the focus is on ensuring he reaches full fitness after the upcoming international break.

Raul Asencio is out against Atletico Madrid. (Photo by Florencia Tan Jun/Getty Images)

What makes the situation particularly frustrating is how close Asencio appeared to returning. In recent days, he had been training with the group and gradually increasing his workload. 

Although he was not at 100%, there was a growing sense that he could be available for selection.

The defender even tested himself during the final session at Valdebebas before the squad announcement. 

However, after evaluating his condition, the decision was made to remain cautious. The risk simply outweighed the reward, especially given the intensity of a derby match.

Meanwhile, his absence adds to an already concerning injury list for Real Madrid.

Thibaut Courtois remains sidelined, while Eder Militao is recovering from a hamstring issue. Ferland Mendy is also unavailable, and Dani Ceballos continues to deal with a muscle problem.

The most serious setback comes in attack, where Rodrygo is out with a significant knee injury, further reducing options for Alvaro Arbeloa.