Real Madrid lose defender Raúl Asencio to tibia surgery until 2027 as Kylian Mbappé suffers knee injury

Asencio sidelined until 2027

Real Madrid central defender Raúl Asencio faces an extended spell out of action after the club confirmed on Wednesday that he will undergo surgery on Thursday. The 23-year-old defender from the Canary Islands is scheduled for a surgical procedure to treat a persistent stress fracture in the tibia of his right leg. Asencio had been dealing with the bone injury for several months and previously attempted alternative non-surgical treatments to remain available during the final stretch of the previous campaign. Playing through intense pain at the end of last season ultimately proved unsustainable as the physical discomfort increased. Having not featured in a single match under Portuguese manager José Mourinho during the current season, the player and the club agreed that surgery was unavoidable to definitively resolve the underlying issue.

Defensive challenges for Mourinho

The long-term absence of Asencio leaves Real Madrid with reduced depth across the back line as they navigate a demanding calendar in both domestic and continental competitions. Mourinho has already operated without the 23-year-old throughout the early months of the campaign, but the confirmation of his unavailability until early 2027 increases pressure on the remaining central defenders. The club's medical strategy prioritizes a complete recovery, allowing Asencio to return at full fitness for the second half of the season. In the interim, Mourinho must adjust his defensive structure and manage rotation carefully against upcoming opponents in the league title race. The Portuguese manager faces the task of maintaining defensive stability while waiting for the center-back to complete his multi-month rehabilitation program.

Mbappé sidelined by knee injury

Real Madrid's squad concerns extend to the attacking department, where forward Kylian Mbappé has suffered an injury to his left knee. The French international is expected to miss several upcoming fixtures while he undergoes a targeted recovery process. Mbappé's absence deprives the team of its regular center-forward during an active stretch of the season, prompting the coaching staff to prepare contingency plans. Mourinho acknowledges the significance of the forward to his offensive system and has begun reviewing tactical alternatives to keep the squad competitive across all competitions. Managing player availability and squad rotation has become a central priority as Real Madrid seek to mitigate the impact of concurrent injuries across multiple positions.

Tactical alternatives in attack

According to reports from Diario As, Mourinho is considering two main tactical structures to replace Mbappé in the starting lineup. The first option involves moving Jude Bellingham into an advanced false nine role, supported on the wings by Yan Diomande and Vinícius Júnior. Under this arrangement, Arda Güler would assume the attacking midfield role with complete freedom of movement to orchestrate offensive play. The second, more conservative setup would see either Carlos Espí or Endrick enter the starting eleven as a direct replacement at center-forward. In that scenario, the rest of the attacking configuration remains unchanged, with Bellingham retaining the number 10 position, Vinícius Júnior playing on the left flank, and Güler stationed on the right.