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Real Madrid News Real Madrid defender fighting for Mourinho’s trust and wants to honour club legend Raul Asencio’s future at Real Madrid may still be a one of the big talking points, but the defender has no intention of giving up on his place in the squad. According to AS, the Real Madrid academy graduate is determined to convince Jose Mourinho that he deserves to remain part of the new project. Regardless of what is said in the media recently, the outlet assures that his approach since returning from his summer break has impressed the coaching staff, while his recovery from the muscle injury has moved faster than initially expected. Right now, there is still uncertainty surrounding Asencio’s fitness and his longer-term future, particularly with a lingering tibial problem and increased competition following Ibrahima Konate’s arrival. Asencio impresses Mourinho Asencio has already experienced plenty of change despite being at an early stage of his senior career. The defender made his Real Madrid debut under Carlo Ancelotti and later worked under Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa before Mourinho took charge. Every managerial change brought a fresh challenge, and the Portuguese coach’s arrival was no different. With Real Madrid strengthening their defence, there had been suggestions that Asencio could become one of the players considered for a departure. Konate’s arrival increased the competition at centre-back, but the Spanish defender responded in the best possible way. From the moment he returned from his holidays, his focus was on earning Mourinho’s trust. AS reports that the coaching staff was impressed by his discipline and commitment in training. That effort, however, also came at a cost, as a muscle injury ruled him out of the final four pre-season matches and Real Madrid’s La Liga opener against Espanyol. Asencio has since worked intensely with the club’s physiotherapists and rehabilitation staff, reportedly bringing his expected recovery forward by a week. The defender participated in part of Monday’s training session at Valdebebas and could be fully integrated with the group by Thursday. If everything continues to progress as planned, we could see him available for next Sunday’s league match against Malaga. Asencio requested Carvajal’s No. 2 One of the more interesting details surrounding Asencio’s tenure at Real Madrid concerns his choice of shirt number. According to the report, the defender requested Dani Carvajal’s iconic No. 2 shirt as a tribute to one of his biggest role models and another product of the Real Madrid academy. Carvajal’s journey from the youth ranks to becoming a major figure at Real Madrid is one that Asencio has admired, having followed a similar route through the club’s academy Hence, wearing the No. 2 would be a personal way of honouring that connection. Furthermore, it also fits Asencio’s versatility. Although primarily a centre-back, he has previously played at right-back for Real Madrid. That flexibility could become valuable to Mourinho, although it is unlikely that the manager would use him here, especially now that the club has two specialist right-backs. Real Madrid News Former Real Madrid manager opines on Vinicius situation: ‘Needs to put his energy into the game’ There has been plenty of discussion about what happened with Vinicius Jr. in last Saturday’s match between Espanyol and Real Madrid (1-2). The Brazilian winger received a kick from an opposition player while on the floor, but the incident was overlooked by the referee as well as the VAR. Moreover, the 26-year-old superstar was once again at the receiving end of boos and whistles from opposition fans at the RCDE Stadium. Following the match, Real Madrid manager Jose Mourinho did not hesitate to say that the Brazilian is being bullied by opponents and supporters. “From the first minute, it’s like he’s already been given a set routine. Now I foul him, now you foul him, one player gets a yellow card, another comes on without one. It’s incredibly frustrating for him; he needs to have a lot of mental control,” Mourinho said. “I’ve even told him that if he scores, he should be careful how he celebrates. We’re in a social era of anti-bullying, but with Vini, we’re still in the era of bullying,” he added. Jorge Valdano gives his take Now, former Real Madrid manager and director Jorge Valdano has given his assessment of the Brazilian on Movistar. “Madridismo backs Vinicius and, of course, his coach backs Vinicius,” Valdano began. The Argentine then immediately pointed out the apparent contradiction in Mourinho’s current stance, compared to what the manager had said while he was at Benfica last season. “But the coach was at Benfica just three months ago and, regarding Vinicius, he said other things,” said Valdano, taking a dig at Mourinho, with whom he does not have the best of relatioships. For Valdano, the situation surrounding Vinicius has become one in which everyone believes they are right. “Here, everyone thinks they are right about Vinicius. The opponents and the Madridistas,” he added. Valdano’s advice to Vinicius Valdano then offered Vinicius some advice about how he should handle the situation, as he said: “I understand that, little by little, Vini is going to have to understand that he needs to put his energy into the game because he’s a star, and that’s where he has to make the difference and build his empire.” “Not through conflict, because that doesn’t benefit him or Real Madrid,” he concluded.