A squad selection dispute briefly sidelined a young defender.
Raúl Asencio has returned to the squad after a dispute with coach Álvaro Arbeloa led to his absence from several matches.
The Raúl Asencio Álvaro Arbeloa dispute began when the defender was dropped from the lineup despite reportedly pushing to play through injury.
According to reports, Asencio felt his effort to feature while not fully fit deserved a starting place. However, Arbeloa opted for another player, a decision that did not sit well with the young defender.
The situation escalated days later when Asencio confronted the coach over the decision.
Tensions increased further when Asencio informed Arbeloa just hours before a scheduled match that he was dealing with muscle discomfort and did not feel ready to play.
The late update reportedly disrupted team planning and forced changes to the lineup.
The Raúl Asencio Álvaro Arbeloa dispute also had an impact on the squad, with other players affected by sudden selection adjustments. Asencio was subsequently left out of multiple matches despite continuing to train normally.
Reports indicate that Arbeloa demanded a public apology to the squad, viewing the matter as a team issue. Asencio initially apologized privately but declined to address the group, which extended his exclusion.
The situation has since been resolved, with Asencio eventually apologizing in front of his teammates. He has now returned to the squad for recent matches, although he has yet to feature.