Trainer reveals why Raul Asencio can still succeed at Real Madrid | OneFootball

With all the new reinforcements that Real Madrid have brought to strengthen their backline this summer, one player who is facing a somewhat uncertain future at the Merengue club is the center-back Raul Asencio. After having come from the youth academy and quickly establishing himself in the first team, the defender has not really convinced with his growth or performances during the last season.

But almost the entire team had an underwhelming last season, and Asencio understands that with the arrival of Jose Mourinho, he has another opportunity to convince his manager and retain a place with Los Blancos going into the next season. As a result, he continued working during his holidays to return for the preseason in his best shape.

During this time, one of the individuals he worked with was the physical trainer Luiso Hernandez, who recently appeared in an interview with Diario AS, and commented at some length on Asencio as a player and a person, while also providing some insights about his work ethic.

The personal trainer commented on how the young defender worked during the last summer, when they started working together:

Hernandez also highlighted a particular aspect of his game that the center-back particularly worked upon:

 “He was in a completely new environment. There was a change of coach, and Xabi arrived with demands that were completely different from what they had been accustomed to, especially in his position. In Raúl’s case, we had to work a lot on technical situations with the ball.

It is not that he was unfamiliar with working on those aspects, but based on the coach’s philosophy and what his playing model demanded, he had to solve situations of that profile more effectively. That was the main focus when we started working: naturally developing the ability to find passing lanes when under pressure, being able to play quickly, with few touches…”

The trainer also revealed some of the strengths of Asencio that come to him naturally:

“It is true that there is a small margin for improvement in every ability, but I firmly believe that natural talent exists. Natural talent is not only Messi; it includes many other things. Raúl, for example, has a natural talent for timing when making tackles and stepping across that cannot be taught or learned, because you either have it or you do not.

If everything could be trained, everyone would be playing in the Primera División and for Real Madrid. There are situations that can be worked on and improved, but you may never become good enough in them to be truly decisive.”

Hernandez also highlighted what aspects the defender should work on going forward:

“The most important thing is to highlight that he has all the qualities to succeed at Madrid. On one hand, he has an outstanding personality, and he proved it by going from one day to the next to becoming a very established first-team player, especially under Ancelotti.

Overall, last season was not a good one. However, despite having periods of significant inconsistency, when he is performing well, his presence is very noticeable. He needs to feel the confidence of the coaching staff and play regularly. He is someone who likes challenges, is not weighed down by pressure, and grows when things become difficult. In terms of personality, he is exactly the profile Madrid need. When others are afraid, he is not, and that is a reality that cannot be trained.”

While talking about the uncertainty surrounding him at Real Madrid, the trainer revealed that Asencio’s desire is to continue with the Merengue club:

“The key has been to normalise the situation. To understand that Real Madrid is the most demanding environment in the world and that when you are at Madrid, you are exposed to these kinds of situations. There is a reality: despite all the external noise that may be generated, today you are there and tomorrow you may not be.

He has always told me that he wants to continue at Madrid, become an important player, and succeed. That is why we have worked to ensure he arrives in the best possible condition for this pre-season, which is a new and different context for all the players at Madrid. Despite the fact that last season was not the best, the situation is completely different now because everyone starts on equal footing. Beyond that, I believe Raúl’s profile can fit perfectly into the ideas of the new coaching staff.”

It remains to be seen whether Raul Asencio will be able to convince Jose Mourinho to give him an important role in the team. Real Madrid have several center-backs in their ranks, and getting a starting spot will not be easy, but with the hard work and dedication he is showing, he can definitely get to stay at the Merengue club beyond the summer.