All eyes were on the Santiago Bernabéu for the monumental UEFA Champions League quarter-final second leg against Bayern Munich, but the pre-match buzz swirled around a surprising name left off the team sheet: academy defender Raúl Asencio.

The 23-year-old's omission was a genuine shock to Madridistas. Just days prior, Asencio had played the full 90 minutes in a hard-fought 1-1 La Liga draw with Girona, showing no visible signs of injury. With no official medical bulletin from the club, speculation ran wild, especially given recent reports of a training ground disagreement between the player and Castilla manager Álvaro Arbeloa.

Rumours of disciplinary action intensified, but the truth, as reported by journalist Guillermo Rai, is far more straightforward and concerning. Asencio's absence is due to a sudden health issue, not internal conflict. The young defender has been suffering from severe dizziness in recent hours, with club sources suspecting a case of gastroenteritis.

For a player poised on the brink of the first-team, missing a historic European night is a brutal blow. While the timing fueled the rumour mill, it appears to be an unfortunate coincidence, a reminder that even the most meticulously planned campaigns can be disrupted by unforeseen circumstances. Madrid's famous 'Next Man Up' mentality will now be tested as they look to secure a semi-final berth without one of their promising talents.