Real Madrid took down Pachuca 3-1 last Sunday in their Club World Cup opener. The scoreboard looked good, but the game brought an ongoing issue to the surface. Just six minutes in, center-back Raúl Asencio was sent off, leaving the team down a man for almost the entire match.
Even so, the Spanish side pulled through and got the job done. The real concern wasn’t just the red card, it’s the fact that these mistakes are starting to pile up fast, and that’s shaking the team’s trust in the defender.
In the first match against Al-Hilal, Asencio gave up the penalty that led to their equalizer. Now, two games in, two costly mistakes, it’s becoming a problem. Inside the squad, it’s clear things are getting uncomfortable.
The comments after the match weren’t harsh, but they definitely weren’t casual either.
Courtois shows the frustration is real inside the locker room
Thibaut Courtois didn’t dodge the topic. Speaking to DAZN, he pointed out that this wasn’t the first time. “Two games and two times kind of the same mistake. We need to be smarter and not make these errors. But he knows that, it’s not a problem. We’ll fight for him and we’ll win without him.”
That wasn’t just a quick soundbite. It said a lot. Mistakes happen, but when they start repeating, teammates notice. And when those mistakes show up in the most vulnerable defensive moments, trust gets harder to maintain.
Xabi Alonso holds back a bit, but the message is clear
Head coach Xabi Alonso was more reserved, choosing his words carefully. He didn’t name names but made his point. “We’ll have time to talk, time to learn from the experience. He needs to keep his head up and move forward. It’s a learning experience to think about going forward.”
It was a calm response, but still direct. There was no attempt to excuse the error or soften the blow. From here on out, Asencio knows the pressure’s on.
And it’s not just about performance, it’s about awareness. A red card that early forces a coach to tear up his game plan. Alonso had to adjust everything, and fast.
Asencio will get another chance. But when he does, he’ll need to bring control, focus, and maturity. Mistakes are part of the game. But repeat them, and they turn into habits. Right now, Asencio has to break the cycle, quickly.