Raúl Asencio Withdrawn at the Last Minute as Castilla Youth Talavera

Actual Madrid’s squad listing for the journey to Talavera took an sudden flip shortly after being launched on Wednesday afternoon. Raúl Asencio initially appeared among the many chosen gamers, just for his title to quietly disappear minutes later from each the membership’s official web site and social media channels.

This was not a clerical error. As an alternative, it was the results of a last-minute medical resolution.

The younger center-back has been dominated out attributable to a fever and didn’t journey with the remainder of the squad on the 128-kilometer bus journey to Talavera. With the danger of contagion and Asencio’s bodily discomfort taken under consideration, Xabi Alonso opted for warning and eliminated him from the squad simply earlier than departure.

At this stage, there is no such thing as a main concern concerning Asencio’s availability for Saturday’s match in opposition to Sevilla. If his restoration progresses usually, he must be match to characteristic, although his standing will proceed to be monitored.

A Door Opens for Joan Martínez

Asencio’s absence might show vital, because it opens the door for Joan Martínez to make his official debut as a starter for the primary crew.

The 18-year-old academy graduate was one of many standout performers throughout Actual Madrid’s 2024/25 preseason, impressing each workers and supporters together with his composure and bodily presence. His momentum was abruptly halted by a critical knee harm—harm to the cruciate ligament—that briefly eliminated him from first-team rivalry.

After an extended and spectacular restoration course of, Martínez has labored his means again by means of minutes with Castilla and is as soon as once more forcing his means into the dialog. Tonight in Talavera, he has the chance to satisfy a dream many La Fábrica gamers develop up imagining: beginning a aggressive match for Actual Madrid.

Additional Castilla Reinforcements

Joan Martínez might not be the one Castilla participant to characteristic prominently. David Jiménez, an attacking right-back extensively considered certainly one of Castilla’s most promising skills, can be a robust candidate to begin. His inclusion displays each necessity and belief from the teaching workers.

Xabi Alonso is navigating an in depth harm listing that features Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Éder Militão. To complicate issues additional, Brahim Díaz is already away together with his nationwide crew on the Africa Cup of Nations. Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Ceballos will relaxation.

With a number of first-team gamers additionally anticipated to be rested, Alonso has leaned closely on Castilla to spherical out the squad. The touring group to Talavera consists of David Jiménez, Cestero, Thiago Pitarch, Fran González, Joan Martínez, and Valdepeñas—a transparent sign that youth will play a central function tonight.