Real Madrid to hand fresh contract to defensive youngster after impressive impact

Real Madrid have been wobbling defensively for much of the season, but just when things looked most desperate, Los Blancos have put together a run of three straight clean sheets. That is in no small part down to the introduction of Raul Asencio.

The Castilla defender and academy graduate has been error-free since coming into the first team, and while Real Madrid did concede twice against Liverpool, in general they have improved defensively. Fabrizio Romano says that the European Champions are happy with how he has done, and they have decided to put together a fresh contract for Asencio including a wage rise.