Raúl Asencio Faces DUI Fine and Trial Over Sexual Video as Mourinho Defends Real Madrid Defender

A DUI fine on Wednesday and a trial starting the very next day over the distribution of a sexual video recorded of minors. That's the storm that has broken around Raúl Asencio in recent hours, and Jose Mourinho didn't dodge the question when it came up at Valdebebas.

The Real Madrid defender was sanctioned this Wednesday for a road safety offense after driving under the influence of alcohol. The club had already opened a disciplinary file on him as soon as the conviction was confirmed, and this isn't the first time the center back has found himself in trouble away from the field: last season he was already at the center of other episodes of indiscipline, and starting this Thursday he also faces a trial over his alleged involvement in distributing a sexual video recorded by three former academy teammates with two young women, 17 and 18 years old, in Gran Canaria.

Mourinho held nothing back when asked about the pile-up of issues: "We all make mistakes, but accumulated mistakes are a different thing." A short sentence, but one that made clear the Portuguese coach's frustration with the situation.

A Professional on the Field, a Headache Off It

The coach wanted to separate two things: what Asencio does on the pitch and what happens away from it. And there, he was generous toward the center back, whom he has seen train at an extremely high level even while injured.

I spoke with him when I arrived. I did it based on things from the past. Since I got here, I don't talk about it anymore. I don't get into situations away from Valdebebas. Because on the inside, he's a true professional. When he was healthy, nobody trained harder or better than him. Now that he's injured, he's the first one in and the last one outJose Mourinho

But Mourinho didn't stop there. He insisted that being a Real Madrid player doesn't end when the whistle blows at the end of training: "Extreme dedication. But a Real Madrid player is one 24 hours a day. What you do outside can damage your reputation and the club's. I'm not happy." And he clarified how he's handling the matter while the club investigates: "The club has opened a disciplinary file, and as coach, while that file is open, I see him as a Real Madrid player. And that will continue for a few more weeks. This helps me stay out of this problem."

The Trip to Betis, With Pellegrini on the Other Bench

With that chapter closed, the conversation turned to soccer. This weekend, Madrid visits Real Betis in Seville, a ground that has historically given the club trouble. Mourinho didn't hide it: "It has to be a big Madrid that we see out there. Otherwise, we don't win. Betis is a very good team, and given Real Madrid's recent results there, it's tough to win in that stadium. And to do it, you have to be at your absolute best. There's no other way."

On the opposing bench will be Manuel Pellegrini, an old acquaintance of the Portuguese coach from his Premier League days. Mourinho looked back on that rivalry with humor and even a bit of self-criticism: "In the past, obviously, there are things you say and in the end, you feel like an idiot. You feel like you got it wrong. That's why I don't hold grudges. But I did say some pretty stupid things about him at one point." He even joked about the title the Chilean coach won with Manchester City: "The championship he won with Manchester City, I gave it to him. Because if Liverpool had drawn with Chelsea two games from the end, he would have been champion."

He also recalled a moment of sportsmanship from Pellegrini in a friendly between Betis and Roma, when Mourinho's team was left with just seven players on the field due to refereeing decisions: "He could have put eight past us. He's a great coach, a great example as a person. I like him a lot."

Before wrapping up, Mourinho didn't let Lionel Messi's retirement from the Argentina national team go unmentioned. His words were full of unreserved admiration: "There are no words that can describe his quality as a player. He came into this World Cup at 38 or 39 years old, and we saw what he did. He's one of those players you're going to miss."