Real Madrid's injury curse has been a major issue this season and several members of the first-team squad have been struck with recurring fitness problems. The likes of Dani Carvajal, Antonio Rudiger, David Alaba, and Trent Alexander-Arnold have all spent lengthy spells on the sidelines.
This is why Madrid's defense has been vulnerable because there has been a constant need to chop and change due to personnel being absent. Such is the problem with constant injury setbacks that some players are playing through the pain.
Raul Asencio is one of them amid playing through pain and discomfort from a fissure in his tibia. The Spanish center-back has been a regular under Alvaro Arbeloa but he's set to be handled carefully ahead of crucial matches.
Madrid's plan for Asencio
Asencio is available for the trip to the Mestalla to face Valencia this Sunday (January 8th) but clearly isn't at full fitness. He could be counted on for the encounter with Los Che before sitting out the game at home to Real Sociedad on February 14th.
Marca reports that the plan is for Asencio's injury to be managed cautiously and that means not playing at least one of the three next games. He's likely to be rested for the Sociedad clash so that he can play in the UEFA Champions League on February 17th.
Madrid face Benfica in the first-leg of their playoff showdown at the Estadio da Luz. Los Blancos must beat the Portuguese giants over two legs to advance to the last 16 of the European competition.
The club are clearly prioritising Benfica over Sociedad and it's a difficult situation for Arbeloa and his team. Asencio has been hugely important this season, appearing 26 times across competitions and registering two goals and one assist.
Madrid should have signed a defender in January
Madrid weren't willing to conduct any January transfer business despite the obvious issues unfolding at the Estadio Bernabeu. Asencio isn't the only player who is playing through pain, as his defensive partner, Dean Huijsen, is also enduring similar issues.
The club should have swooped for a center-back to deal with the situation, whether that be on loan or permanently. There was an €8 million buy-back clause inserted in the transfer of Jacobo Ramon to Como last summer.
It would have made sense for Madrid to use that when only two first-team central defenders are available. Even then those two aren't fully fit and having a lack of options is only making matters worse.