Real Madrid are set to play RB Salzburg in their final group-stage match at the FIFA Club World Cup.
A draw is all they need to move into the Round of 16, but the road to qualification has become more complicated after a key defensive blow.
Raul Asencio is suspended following a red card against Pachuca. His absence leaves manager Xabi Alonso with a big decision to make at the back.
Asencio has been under the spotlight recently for all the wrong reasons. He gave away a costly penalty against Al Hilal, which denied Madrid a win, and his sending-off against Pachuca left the team to play with 10 men for most of the match.
Now, Alonso must look for someone to partner Dean Huijsen, who has been Real Madrid’s standout defender in the tournament so far.
Signed from Bournemouth, Huijsen has impressed with his calmness on the ball and ability to carry it forward.
With David Alaba still being handled carefully due to fitness issues and Eder Militao not fully back from his ligament injury suffered in November 2024, Xabi Alonso has two players in mind to replace Asencio, namely Aurelien Tchouameni and Antonio Rudiger.
Tchouameni has filled in at centre-back before, both after Asencio’s red card and in the match against Al Hilal. He looked solid, offering good defensive awareness and composure.
Rudiger, on the other hand, has just returned from a muscle tear he picked up in the Copa del Rey final against Barcelona on April 26.
The German, who has had a tough year dealing with meniscus problems, featured briefly against Pachuca and now appears to be the leading candidate to start alongside Huijsen.
Alonso’s choice will play a key role in Madrid’s efforts to book a place in the next round and possibly go on to win the trophy.