Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus: Asencio worries before El Clasico
Real Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 but paid the price: Raul Asencio suffered a muscle injury in the 88th minute. Before El Clasico on October 26, Rudiger and Alaba were absent; Huijsen was left in doubt.
Bernabeu had a breathtaking night in the truest sense: Real Madrid beat Juventus 1-0 in the Champions League, but the joy was immediately overshadowed by Raul Asencio's hamstring injury. The center-back left the field in the 88th minute, just a few minutes after sliding to clear the danger in the 86th minute. Ahead of El Clasico on October 26 (22:15), Xabi Alonso witnessed the central defender problem become tense when Antonio Rudiger is definitely absent, David Alaba is out, and Dean Huijsen is left in doubt.
Developments and key moments
Asencio played with great intensity in the final minutes, as Real Madrid maintained their 1-0 advantage. In the 86th minute, he slid close to the ground to block a shot. Immediately afterwards, the centre-back held the back of his left thigh and lay on the ground, his eyes focused on the technical area. Although Asencio wanted to continue, coach Xabi Alonso immediately called Gonzalo Garcia on and adjusted the formation to lock down the rest of the match.
The only goal was scored by Jude Bellingham, who 'revived' just in time before El Clasico. The decisive situation helped Real Madrid overcome Juventus in the context of a defense that was being worn down in terms of personnel.
Tactical analysis: The central defender problem before El Clasico
Before the match against Juventus, Real Madrid actually had only two healthy central defenders: Eder Militao and Raul Asencio. When Asencio injured his left hamstring and had to leave the field in the 88th minute, the personnel problem in the central defense became urgent. Rudiger was definitely absent, Alaba was also out, and Huijsen was still in doubt. In that context, Xabi Alonso's decision to withdraw Asencio showed both medical and tactical caution: prioritizing points and preserving the remaining personnel.
El Clasico demands compactness down the middle. With Militao the only fit player, Real Madrid will likely have to optimise their midfield coverage and manage the space behind their defence – all depending on Asencio’s injury assessment.
Barca accelerates before El Clasico
On the other hand, Barcelona just won 6-1 against Olympiakos. This was a match marked by Lamine Yamal and a historic hat-trick by Fermin Lopez, creating great psychological momentum before the trip to Bernabeu. In addition, in case Hansi Flick's card is not canceled, Thiago Alcantara - the favorite of Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp - can temporarily direct Barca against Real Madrid.
Important statistics
| Player | The situation before El Clasico |
|---|---|
| Eder Militao | Healthy |
| Raul Asencio | Left hamstring injury, left the field in the 88th minute; initial assessment: possible cramp/overload |
| Antonio Rudiger | Definitely absent |
| David Alaba | Out of competition |
| Dean Huijsen | Leaving open the possibility of playing |
| Minute | Event |
|---|---|
| 86 | Asencio slid to block the shot, then held the back of his left thigh |
| 88 | Asencio leaves the field; Xabi Alonso brings on Gonzalo Garcia and adjusts the formation |
| Result | Real Madrid 1-0 Juventus; Bellingham scores the winning goal |
| Battle | Time |
|---|---|
| Real Madrid vs Barcelona (El Clasico) | October 26, 10:15 p.m. |
Initial reactions and assessments
Initial assessments were a little optimistic: Asencio’s problem was likely to be cramp or muscle overload. However, with a tight game cycle and a thin central defence, Xabi Alonso’s decision to withdraw him early was a sensible move to mitigate the risk.
Impact on the race
El Clasico at the Bernabeu was seen as a turning point in the La Liga race. Bellingham's goal gave three valuable points and much-needed confidence, but Asencio's injury left Real Madrid with a real "heart attack". With Barca in high spirits after a 6-1 win, Real's stability in defence will be key to a top-flight game.
