Raúl Asencio left the pitch in the 73rd minute of the game against Olympiacos with Real Madrid leading 4-2. A few minutes later, the hosts pulled one back and pushed for an equaliser until the very end, attacking a disorganised Real Madrid back line. Xabi Alonso’s decision to take Asencio off drew criticism, but there appear to have been two reasons behind it.

Madrid-based media reported after the match that the Spaniard played on Wednesday with muscle discomfort he had been carrying since the game against Elche. Xabi Alonso himself confirmed this, adding that the problem was in his thigh muscles. On Sunday, the centre-back had completed the full league match, and this time he was the only available senior centre-back, with David Alaba and Dean Huijsen struggling with muscle overload issues, and Antonio Rüdiger and Éder Militão sidelined by muscle injuries. For now, it is unclear whether the 22-year-old will be fit for Sunday’s match against Girona.

On top of that, Asencio is said to have been dealing with a family tragedy in recent hours, following the passing of his grandfather. According to media reports, his grandfather died on Tuesday, before the team flew out to Greece, but the defender did not ask for time off. After the game, he instead posted messages on Instagram saying goodbye to the man he called “papi”.