Raúl Asencio injury update: Will he return for Real Madrid’s next game?
After an aerial collision with teammate Eduardo Camavinga, Asencio was stretchered off in the second half of Madrid’s Champions League win over Benfica.
Raúl Asencio is fine. And already back home. That’s how an episode that didn’t look too alarming at first - but quickly became unsettling - has ended. A heavy collision going up for an aerial ball, an awkward landing. Stretchered off, neck brace on. Straight to the hospital. Asencio underwent several tests overnight, and the results were reassuring. Nothing serious, just the expected fallout from a heavy impact. Whiplash, a moderate concussion. Since the early hours of the morning, he’s been resting at home. And that’s exactly what he needs now. Rest, time.
“Just a scare”
The incident happened in the 71st minute of Real Madrid’s Champions League win over Benfica on Wednesday. A high ball in the attacking half… and a clash between Asencio and Eduardo Camavinga. The collision itself didn’t look like anything out of the ordinary. But the hit, combined with the violent fall, set off alarms. Medical staff immobilized Asencio, taking him off on a stretcher with a neck brace. From there, straight to the hospital, where he spent several hours undergoing tests. Those tests finally eased concerns.
“Thank you for all the messages! It was just a scare! On to the next round. Hala Madrid!” Asencio wrote on social media around two in the morning - once everything had calmed down. From here on out, it’s slow and steady. No timetable. That’s the reality. Asencio needs rest and must evaluate how he feels day by day. No rushing; maximum caution. As of Thursday, he’s doubtful for Madrid’s next game, in LaLiga against Getafe on Monday. Four days to go. And he won’t play unless he’s fully recovered. Everyone agrees on that.
Who could play in central defense against Getafe?
Right now, Madrid head coach Álvaro Arbeloa has only two fully fit center backs - Antonio Rüdiger and David Alaba - though the expectation is that things will look brighter in the coming days. Dean Huijsen didn’t feature against Benfica because he wasn’t at 100% (right soleus overload), but he has a chance to make it for the Getafe match. And Asencio hasn’t been completely ruled out either. Madrid will take the youth product’s fitness day by day.
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