Real Madrid center back Raúl Asencio did not make the trip to Girona due to illness, leaving Xabi Alonso undermanned in defense once again.
The 22-year-old, who is suffering from gastroenteritis, was ruled out for Los Blancos’ clash with Girona on Sunday evening. Asencio missed training in the buildup to the La Liga match and did not recover in time to make Alonso’s squad.
The Spaniard made three consecutive starts for Real Madrid amid the club’s defensive fitness woes, filling in for the injured Éder Militão. Asencio provided stability to a backline also without Antonio Rüdiger, Dani Carvajal, Dean Huijsen and David Alaba.
Although Alonso will miss the Real Madrid Castilla product on Sunday evening, he will be thankful Asencio is just battling illness, much like Thibaut Courtois midweek; the goalkeeper missed out on Los Blancos’ 4–3 victory over Olympiacos due to a gastrointestinal viral infection, but is in line to start against Girona.






