Raúl Asencio was at the center of controversy during Real Madrid match against Pachuca in the Club World Cup. The Spanish defender was sent off just seven minutes into the game, leaving his team with ten men and seriously complicating Xabi Alonso game plan..

The Mexican side quickly took advantage of the numerical superiority and gradually gained control against a Madrid side that wasn’t expecting to be at such a disadvantage so early in the match.

A Rough Start to the Xabi Alonso Era

Asencio start under Xabi Alonso has been far from ideal. This red card adds to a previous costly mistake in the last match against Al-Hilal, where he conceded a penalty that led to the equalizer.

Falling Short of Expectations

So far, Raúl Asencio has failed to meet the expectations placed on him. In a highly competitive position with several players vying for a spot in the starting eleven, his recent performances have put his place in jeopardy.

What remains to be seen is whether the defender can learn from these errors and regain the coaching staff’s trust. If not, his future at Madrid could be in serious doubt.

At such a crucial stage of the tournament, Madrid needs defensive reliability and full commitment something Asencio has yet to deliver.