Asensio still not training with Real Madrid squad a week ahead of season opener

Real Madrid attacker Marco Asensio is still training indoors and away from the squad a week after picking up a small —yet worrying— knee injury with the Spanish national team. Asensio just suffered a bit of swelling on the same knee which required surgery a year ago, which raised some concerns in Madrid.

While every test done on that knee this past week ruled out a serious injury, the fact is that Asensio is still not available and might be forced to miss Real’s season opener against Real Sociedad next weekend. Considering that Eden Hazard is not expected to be ready to start, coach Zinedine Zidane will not have many options to choose from on the wings. Furthermore, Isco is also recovering from an ankle injury and might need to miss the game as well.

Real Madrid’s coaching staff will surely pay close attention to the development of those three players this upcoming week and if they don’t make significant progress and have to sit out the match, Vinicius Junior and Rodrygo will likely start alongside Karim Benzema.