Real Madrid’s last three defeats share one glaring pattern – Coincidence or curse? | OneFootball

Real Madrid’s recent losses to Real Betis (2-1), Espanyol (1-0), and Barcelona (2-5) have sparked discussions about what went wrong.

While several factors contributed to these defeats, one common element stands out—the absence of Raul Asencio from the starting lineup. Although this alone does not explain everything, it offers some insight into the team’s struggles.

Against Real Betis, Asencio was once again left on the bench after being forced to step off early in a previous match due to hostile chants directed at him.

Before that incident, he had started six consecutive games and performed exceptionally well. Despite his strong run of form, Carlo Ancelotti chose to bench him and instead paired David Alaba with Antonio Rudiger in central defence.

However, this decision did not work out as planned, as both defenders had a difficult outing.

Unknown reason for his absence

The reasoning behind Ancelotti’s choice remains unclear. It could have been a tactical adjustment, a precautionary measure given the challenging away atmosphere, or simply an effort to give Asencio some rest.

Raul Asencio was benched against Real Betis. (Photo by Carl Recine/Getty Images)

Whatever the motive, the result was far from ideal, as Madrid struggled defensively in his absence.

At just 22 years old, Asencio has shown great confidence, composure, and resilience. Many consider him one of the most reliable defenders in the squad at the moment.

His performances have convinced both fans and analysts that he deserves a regular starting role.

With an important Champions League round of 16 clash against Atletico Madrid at the Bernabeu approaching, there is a strong expectation that he will return to the starting lineup and reinforce Madrid’s defence when it matters most.

It must be noted that Ancelotti decided to use Asencio as a right-back against Real Sociedad, but had to take him off due to the environment. While he remains a valuable player for the club, Ancelotti seems to prioritise experience over tenacity.