Real Madrid head coach José Mourinho has publicly expressed his dissatisfaction with defender Raul Asencio in the lead-up to the La Liga match against Real Betis scheduled for Friday. Asencio, who recently admitted to driving under the influence of alcohol in Gran Canaria, has faced legal repercussions including a fine and a suspension of his driving license.
This incident marks yet another instance of off-field troubles for the 23-year-old defender. Mourinho addressed the situation during a press conference, stating, "I spoke with him when I arrived. We talked about things from the past. Since I arrived, I haven’t spoken about situations outside (the training ground at) Valdebebas because, in Valdebebas, he is an exemplary professional."
Despite Asencio's commitment to training and recovery, particularly during his current thigh injury, Mourinho emphasized the importance of maintaining a professional image at all times. He remarked, "A Real Madrid player is a Real Madrid player 24 hours a day, seven days a week, and 12 months a year. Everything you do outside your professional area continues to reflect on Real Madrid, continues to affect the prestige of a club that is untouchable."
Mourinho's frustration stems from the accumulation of mistakes made by Asencio, as he stated, "I am not happy. Everyone makes mistakes, but accumulated mistakes are something different." Currently sidelined due to injury, Asencio is expected to be unavailable for at least a couple more weeks, which further complicates Mourinho's squad selection.
The Real Madrid manager is already facing challenges with a limited roster, as several key players including Aurelien Tchouameni, Ferland Mendy, Thiago Pitarch, Eder Militao, Endrick, and Rodrygo are also out due to injuries. In light of these circumstances, young talent Sergio Martinez, who recently joined from Racing Santander, is anticipated to be included on the bench after training with the first team this week.
As the match approaches, Mourinho will be facing his former rival Manuel Pellegrini, the current manager of Real Betis. Reflecting on their past interactions, Mourinho stated, "I’ve had some words, some very stupid comments with him, that I’m not proud of. For me, he is a great coach, an example as a coach and as a person. I like him a lot. Tomorrow, I will give him a hug before and after the match."
Real Madrid enters this match with a perfect record, having won their first three fixtures of the season, while Real Betis will be looking to bounce back after suffering a heavy 5-2 defeat to Levante last weekend. Mourinho acknowledged the challenge posed by Betis, stating, "Betis is a very good team. Real Madrid’s recent results there are very telling. It’s difficult to win there and, to do so, you have to be at your best." Additionally, Dani Ceballos will not be available for the match as he has recently returned to Betis from Real Madrid.
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