Real Madrid starlet proved to Carlo Ancelotti that he is ready to start every week vs Atlético | OneFootball

Real Madrid youngster Raúl Asencio has on Saturday made clear to boss Carlo Ancelotti that he is ready to play a leading role for the club moving forward.

Real, of course, are currently locked in action in the Spanish capital.

In a crunch top-of-the-table showdown in La Liga, Los Blancos have welcomed city rivals Atlético to the Santiago Bernabéu, for the latest edition of the Madrid Derby.

As things stand in a tense affair, the two sides are deadlocked at a goal apiece, after Julián Alvarez’s opener was cancelled out by Kylian Mbappé.

A number of the hosts’ stars, during the 2nd-half in particular, have thoroughly impressed, with the likes of Jude Bellingham and Vinícius Jr. having burst into life.

And yet, it is an altogether less high-profile member of Carlo Ancelotti’s squad who has arguably proven himself the star of the show.

Afforded his latest starting berth at the heart of defence on Saturday, Raúl Asencio has been nothing short of brilliant.

Tackles, aerial duels, blocks, passing – the 21-year-old has done it all to this point in the action at the Bernabéu.

Despite his tender years and relative inexperience at senior level, Asencio has emerged as something of a leader at the back for Real Madrid.

Amid the ongoing injury crisis in his squad, Carlo Ancelotti, in turn, has been shown once again why he should be ready to lean heavily on the club’s breakout defensive talent over the weeks and months ahead.

Conor Laird – GSFN