Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti says he would not consider dropping defender Raul Asencio to protect him from the abusive chants he has been targeted with.
The 22-year-old was on the receiving end of “Asencio die” chants from sections of the home crowd during the first half of Wednesday’s Copa del Rey tie at Real Sociedad. He has also been targeted with the same insults in away matches against Athletic Club, Girona and Osasuna.
Asencio was replaced at half time against Real Sociedad, with Ancelotti explaining after the game this was because “he was affected and because he had a yellow card”.
Asked if he would consider not starting the defender in fixtures away from the Bernabeu because of the chants, Ancelotti said: “No, no, no. This (the insults) doesn’t have to happen. We don’t think about: ‘if this happens I won’t start him’.”
The crowd shouted at Asencio every time he touched the ball against Real Sociedad. Captain Vinicius Junior spoke to referee Jose Maria Sanchez Martinez, who decided to stop the match momentarily and activate the anti-hate protocol.
The stadium’s public address system broadcasted a message asking fans not to shout insults and the incident was also included in the referee’s match report.
Ancelotti said that while impacted by the chants, Asencio had “recovered well” and he praised the way the referee handled the situation.
‘The player is fine, he has recovered well,” Ancelotti added. “He is affected by what happened, but he has recovered as the days have gone by and he is ready to play.
“Something happened that shouldn’t happen, the protocol was well applied. If it happens again, they should apply it again, like the referee did well the other day.”
Speaking after Wednesday’s victory over Real Sociedad, Ancelotti had addressed the incident. “I don’t think anyone likes a stadium (singing) death (chants) against them,” he said. “He was affected in this sense, he was not totally happy and I preferred to take him off for this because it could be that his feelings affect him in the match.”
On February 11, The Athletic reported that Asencio is still under investigation for allegedly sharing a sex tape of a minor and that a Spanish court had rejected an appeal to have him acquitted of the case. The investigation is ongoing.
Asencio has made 25 appearances in all competitions this season following long-term injuries to key defenders Dani Carvajal and Eder Militao.
Madrid return to action against Real Betis in La Liga on Sunday.
(Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)
