Real Madrid’s next game in the FIFA Club World Cup, in many ways, is more challenging than the potential final they will play for the semifinal sees them pitted against the reigning European champions Paris Saint-Germain.
Luis Enrique’s side have been one of the most consistent and attacking-intensive teams over the past season and even enter the game as slight favourites.
Real Madrid, given their improvement under Xabi Alonso however, cannot be discounted.
Ahead of the key game, however, Los Blancos suffered a major setback when star defender Dean Huijsen received his marching orders against Borussia Dortmund.
The youngster was sent off for a professional last-man foul with just a few minutes left to play and was careless given that the team had a two-goal lead at the time.
Time for Asencio
As relayed by AS in a recent update, Alonso will compensate for Huijsen’s absence by pairing Antonio Rudiger with Raul Asencio against PSG. The academy star, thus, is set for a start and a chance at redemption.
Dean Huijsen is out of the PSG clash. (Photo by Luke Hales/Getty Images)
Asencio started the event as a regular starter for Alonso given that Rudiger was not fit to start at the time. However, he did not earn himself any favours with his performances.
First, the academy star gave away a penalty against Al-Hilal in the curtain-raiser to help the Saudi Arabia-based side to a draw and he then earned a red card early in the game against Pachuca for an unnecessary foul.
Asencio then missed the team’s clash against RB Salzburg through suspension and did not find a place in the XI for the two subsequent games given Rudiger’s return. Now, however, he will have a chance to prove his worth once more.
A strong showing against PSG would be a loud and clear statement from Asencio, one that could potentially elevate him back to the position of a starter given Rudiger’s struggles post-recovery and Eder Militao’s long time out.
Against the likes of Ousmane Dembele, Khvicha Kvaratskhelia and Desire Doue, however, Asencio may well be up against the strongest attacking trio he has faced yet.