Carlo Ancelotti’s Surprising Decision with Raul Asensio: Marca Unveils the Unexpected

Carlo Ancelotti’s search for defensive solutions has led him to a bold and surprising move: testing young Raul Asensio in an unfamiliar role.

This comes as Real Madrid faces challenges in both La Liga and the Champions League, struggling with defensive instability.

A Defense in Turmoil

Currently sitting third in La Liga and gearing up for their Champions League replay, Real Madrid has faced defensive struggles this season.

The departure of Nacho Fernández, a key partner for Antonio Rüdiger last season, along with injuries to Dani Carvajal and Éder Militão—both out for the rest of the season—has left Carlo Ancelotti’s side vulnerable.

Amid these issues, the coaching staff called upon 21-year-old Raul Asensio, who had primarily been playing with the reserve team.

His first appearances proved promising, as he showed strength, composure, and reliability during key matches against Liverpool and Athletic Bilbao.

However, Ancelotti has opted to adjust his plans, returning Aurélien Tchouaméni to a defensive role rather than relying on Asensio.

Defensive Experiment

With Asensio sidelined in recent matches, Real Madrid has struggled defensively, conceding five goals in the last few games.

Against Rayo Vallecano on matchday 17 in La Liga, defensive weaknesses were evident. Courtois was forced into tough situations as three goals—avoidable ones—found the back of the net.

Marca now reports that Ancelotti has explored a new defensive experiment by testing Raul Asensio as a right-back.

This comes as Florentino Pérez has been hesitant to recruit a right-back due to expectations surrounding the potential signing of Trent Alexander-Arnold next summer.

Ahead of Real Madrid’s trip to Qatar for their Intercontinental Cup final against Pachuca, Asensio has been trialed in this new role.

Early indications show the young defender is performing impressively, suggesting that he could be a viable option at right-back moving forward.

Tactical Adjustments

With this move, Tchouaméni is expected to maintain his role as a central defender, allowing Eduardo Camavinga to assume his preferred position as a defensive midfielder.

The tactical shift demonstrates Ancelotti’s flexibility and strategic planning as Real Madrid looks to strengthen its defensive capabilities without major signings.

Real Madrid fans will be watching closely to see if Asensio continues to impress in this new role as the club pushes forward in key competitions.

As always, the next tactical moves from Ancelotti could prove vital in shaping the club’s journey through the remainder of the season.