Real Madrid News
Real Madrid defender faces surgery threat as old injury returns
Raul Asencio had only just put one injury behind him and now, another problem from last season has returned to threaten the start of his new campaign.
According to MARCA, the Real Madrid centre-back has recovered from the quadriceps injury that kept him out earlier this season, but the shin issue he had been carrying since last season has flared up again.
Asencio, whose future at Real Madrid is uncertain, is already undergoing treatment at Valdebebas in what could be his final attempt to avoid surgery.
The plan is to reduce the tension around the affected area and allow the injury to heal properly. However, there is little room for error.
This means if the treatment does not produce the expected improvement, the defender will need an operation that could keep him out for between six and eight weeks.
The injury Asencio refused to let stop him
The shin issue first became a serious problem during the closing months of last season, when Real Madrid were already dealing with a shortage of available centre-backs.
Asencio could have stopped and focused entirely on his recovery. Instead, he chose to continue.
The defender had become an important option at a difficult time for the team and was unwilling to step away while the squad needed bodies in defence.
Unfortunately, the problem had not healed as cleanly as expected. Asencio continued competing, while the medical staff attempted to find a solution that would allow him to keep playing without immediately sending him for surgery.
He underwent a minimally invasive procedure to treat the affected area of the tibia, where scar tissue and a poorly healed callus had developed.
The concern was that the condition could weaken the bone and potentially turn an existing fissure into something much more serious.
The treatment bought Asencio time. He was able to keep helping Real Madrid when they needed him most, but that decision has now come back into the picture.
Real Madrid give Asencio one last chance to avoid surgery
The latest setback comes just as Asencio had recovered from his quadriceps problem.
Rather than dealing with a completely separate injury, however, the defender is now struggling with the shin that troubled him throughout last season.
He has already started a new course of treatment at Valdebebas, with several sessions completed.
For now, the objective is to ease the pressure and tension in the affected area and allow the injury to settle without taking the more drastic route.
As a result, surgery remains an alternative rather than the immediate plan, but if this latest treatment fails, there will be little choice left.
Asencio would undergo surgery and face an expected absence of six to eight weeks, potentially taking him out for close to two months.
Real Madrid News
Real Madrid forward Vinicius Jr. admits finishing problem after another frustrating night vs Elche: ‘Can’t miss that much’
Vinicius Jr.’s difficult start in front of goal continued against Elche, and the Real Madrid forward did not need anyone to tell him he had missed another chance to make the difference.
The Brazilian finished the night without a goal despite having chances to get on the scoresheet, while his teammates could only watch from the bench as opportunities went begging.
Jose Mourinho had already identified the problem before kick-off, bluntly pointing to the issue facing his forward, stating, “He’s missing the goal.”
Vini offered an equally frank assessment afterwards.
Rather than hide from another frustrating evening, he accepted responsibility on social media: “The goals will come back; I can’t miss that much…”
Two chances, no finish for Vinicius
Vinicius had two particularly clear openings against Elche, but neither produced the finish Real Madrid needed from their star forward.
The first arrived when he found himself one-on-one with the opposition goalkeeper.
Instead of finding the net, Vinicius caught the ball with the tip of his foot and sent his effort wide. Arda Guler was available during the move and called for the ball, but Vini backed himself to finish the chance.
He had another opportunity after the interval, this time following an excellent pass from Guler during a quick Real Madrid transition. Again, though, Vinicius could not find the target.
His evening ended in the 68th minute, with Mourinho deciding the Brazilian was tired and turning his attention towards Sunday’s Atletico Madrid derby.
Mourinho has a bigger decision to make
The numbers show why Vinicius’ finishing has become a talking point. He managed five shots against Elche, but only one was on target and none found the net.
After seven appearances this season, the Brazilian has scored just once, which is a striking return for a player Real Madrid rely upon to provide a major share of their attacking threat.
Ultimately, though, Real Madrid found another route to victory, with Arda Guler, Kylian Mbappe and Carlos Espi providing the goals in the 3-2 comeback.
