Asensio's dissatisfaction with his situation, revealed by Cadena SER, is the first serious hot potato Ancelotti has to deal with in this happy start season in which the team is the leader of the League and has won its first Champions League game. To this small outbreak of fire we must add the situation of Marcelo, a heavyweight who has a difficult fit in the team if when it is necessary Nacho or Miguel Gutiérrez is playing in that position. Two unexpected problems, Asensio and Marcelo, to which Isco can join. All three represent the first challenge for the Italian coach.
If Ancelotti is characterized by something, it is because of the wisdom that his long career (more than 40 years between player and coach) gives him to manage the changing rooms. To date, he's juggling Hazard to fit into the team. To do this, with Vinicius at his best playing on the left, he has even changed the system by putting a 4-4-2. He also delicately manages the situation of Rodrygo, a young man who is giving a great performance at this start of the campaign. For something the Italian did not want a too long squad …
Asensio's case is the most complicated because he is an important man in Real Madrid's strategy due to his youth and market value (now, 35 million, but it was priced at 80 several summers ago). Ancelotti's first idea with him to give him prominence was to change his role and play more in midfield. The upper part is filled with the trident Bale, Benzema and Hazard and the irruptions of Vinicius and Rodrygo. The problem for Asensio is that it is precisely in the media where there is more competition. Against Mallorca he has options to start and change his bad inertia.
Marcelo's situation does seem more entrenched. He is in the last year of his contract and the Brazilian's relationship with the club is excellent … but it is not reflected in the field. Madrid gave him the freedom to do what he wanted this summer, even go to look for minutes in another team. Marcelo's service record is excellent, very protagonist in the three Champions League won consecutively by Zidane. PBut now he has it very complicated with Miguel Gutiérrez, Mendy, when he recovers, Alaba and even Nacho. The episode against Celta, in which after entering for a couple of minutes he went to the dressing room angry, speaks clearly of what his situation is. Later, he disappeared from the group dynamics due to an injury.
Isco is also in his last year of contract and for Madrid he is already a discounted player. Halfway through last season, ostracized by Zidane, he asked to go out in the club's offices. But no offers came in for him in winter or last summer. His token, which is close to seven million net, makes his exit very difficult if it is not at zero cost. That will happen in summer. It seemed that with Ancelotti he would have more minutes, but the late signing of Camavinga and the good moment of Valverde condemn him again. Kroos is about to return, like Ceballos, and Modric is untouchable.