Real Madrid’s woes deepened just before the Clásico as Dean Huijsen became the ninth player ruled out. The defender had traveled with flu-like symptoms and attempted to test himself during the warm-up, but ultimately felt unable to play and was dropped from the starting eleven at the last moment. 
Coach Álvaro Arbeloa had to react swiftly, bringing in Raúl Asencio to fill his spot in defense. Huijsen, who had been regularly earning minutes this season, was unable to contribute in a match already hampered by absences. With this latest withdrawal, the white-clad team faced the game with up to nine players unavailable, a situation that has recurred frequently throughout the season. The Spanish international had started the previous three matches and earned solid marks in analysis, but inconsistency has marked his campaign. In his first season with Real Madrid, the young footballer has played 38 matches across all competitions so far. 
This adds to the concern over Kylian Mbappé, who also raised alarms by leaving training early before the match, leaving his participation in doubt until the last moment. Furthermore, Federico Valverde was absent due to discomfort following his collision with Tchouaméni during the week, leaving the coach with a very limited squad to face the clash.
LaLiga: Huijsen Falls Ill Before Match Starts
Published on: 2026-05-11 | Author: admin