Raúl Asencio Withdrawn at the Last Minute as Castilla Youth Step Into the Spotlight in Talavera

Real Madrid’s squad list for the trip to Talavera took an unexpected turn shortly after being released on Wednesday afternoon. Raúl Asencio initially appeared among the selected players, only for his name to quietly disappear minutes later from both the club’s official website and social media channels.

This was not a clerical error. Instead, it was the result of a last-minute medical decision.

The young center-back has been ruled out due to a fever and did not travel with the rest of the squad on the 128-kilometer bus journey to Talavera. With the risk of contagion and Asencio’s physical discomfort taken into account, Xabi Alonso opted for caution and removed him from the squad just before departure.

At this stage, there is no major concern regarding Asencio’s availability for Saturday’s match against Sevilla. If his recovery progresses normally, he should be fit to feature, though his status will continue to be monitored.

A Door Opens for Joan Martínez

Asencio’s absence could prove significant, as it opens the door for Joan Martínez to make his official debut as a starter for the first team.

The 18-year-old academy graduate was one of the standout performers during Real Madrid’s 2024/25 preseason, impressing both staff and supporters with his composure and physical presence. His momentum was abruptly halted by a serious knee injury—damage to the cruciate ligament—that temporarily removed him from first-team contention.

After a long and impressive recovery process, Martínez has worked his way back through minutes with Castilla and is once again forcing his way into the conversation. Tonight in Talavera, he has the opportunity to fulfill a dream many La Fábrica players grow up imagining: starting a competitive match for Real Madrid.

Further Castilla Reinforcements

Joan Martínez may not be the only Castilla player to feature prominently. David Jiménez, an attacking right-back widely regarded as one of Castilla’s most promising talents, is also a strong candidate to start. His inclusion reflects both necessity and trust from the coaching staff.

Xabi Alonso is navigating an extensive injury list that includes Dani Carvajal, Ferland Mendy, Eduardo Camavinga, Trent Alexander-Arnold, and Éder Militão. To complicate matters further, Brahim Díaz is already away with his national team at the Africa Cup of Nations. Antonio Rüdiger and Dani Ceballos will rest.

With several first-team players also expected to be rested, Alonso has leaned heavily on Castilla to round out the squad. The traveling group to Talavera includes David Jiménez, Cestero, Thiago Pitarch, Fran González, Joan Martínez, and Valdepeñas—a clear signal that youth will play a central role tonight.