Flawless. That was the word most often used to describe Asencio’s outstanding performance at Mestalla, a description that also carried a subtle nod to the delicate physical situation he has been dealing with for weeks. The defender has been playing through a tibial fracture, a condition that has become a constant concern for the player himself, for Arbeloa, and especially for Real Madrid’s medical staff.

The seriousness of the issue first became evident on January 20 against Monaco, when Asencio was forced off at halftime due to discomfort in the affected area. A similar episode followed against Rayo Vallecano, raising further alarm and pushing the club toward a decision aimed at one clear objective: allowing the defender to keep competing.

At that point, Niko Mihic, Real Madrid’s newly appointed medical supervisor, stepped in. An emergency solution was agreed upon last week, involving a minor medical procedure that required Asencio to stop training for a couple of days. This explains his absence from Pintus’ physical tests and the close monitoring he underwent throughout the week.

The intervention was minimally invasive and focused on removing abnormal callus tissue from the fracture area, which had caused a faulty bone union and posed a risk to the strength of the scar. By eliminating this tissue and stimulating the healing process, the medical team managed to stabilize the situation enough for Asencio to remain available.

This treatment, however, is only a temporary fix rather than a definitive solution. The injury will need to be assessed on a weekly basis. For now, the outcome has been highly positive: Asencio not only made himself available for Arbeloa at Mestalla, but also delivered a superb performance, completing the full match and reaffirming his status as Real Madrid’s most in-form defender and a key piece in the coach’s plans.

Asencio is fully aware that the true solution to his tibial fracture would require a complete shutdown of around six to eight weeks. But that necessity clashes directly with the team’s needs. Such an absence at this stage of the season would be a major blow for Arbeloa, and faced with that dilemma, the defender chose to prioritize the team. It is a calculated risk taken for Real Madrid, with one eye also firmly set on the World Cup he dreams of playing.

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