After a fantastic end to the 2016/2017 season, scoring the fourth goal in the Champions League final, and a great start to this season with goals in both legs of the Spanish Super Copa, Marco Asensio’s output has dropped off dramatically. This has me wondering: oh Marco, where art thou?
The super sub Marco Asensio has cooled off from his hot goal-scoring streak in the last month and a half. When I say he’s cooled off, I mean he’s gone from red-hot, to ice cold.
The pride of Mallorca, Asensio, hasn’t scored a goal since August 27th, bagging an impressive brace in Real Madrid‘s 2-2 draw with Valencia in the home opener. While Asensio hasn’t scored in nearly two months, he has accounted for two assists during this goal drought. The first coming at Alaves and the second coming against Espanyol in Real’s 2-0 win.
A season ago, Marco burst onto the scene scoring 3 goals and contributing 2 assists in 11 starts and 12 substitute appearances in La Liga.
This season, he has made 6 starts, and made 2 appearances as a substitute. While his numbers this year look on pace to crush his numbers from a year ago, there is still cause for some doubt.
His average match rating thus far is up from a year ago, but his contributions on the offensive end are down substantially. My primary concern when watching Asensio is his inability to get involved when he’s needed as a substitute.
Last season, Zinedine Zidane could call on the 21-year-old to come off the bench and provide a much-needed spark for the Real Madrid attack if they were down, tied, or needing a putaway goal.
More from The Real Champs
- The Xabi Factor: What Alonso could bring to Real Madrid as manager
- Manchester City hold talks over Real Madrid target
- Real Madrid player confirms he is playing with a fracture
- Real Madrid superstar rejected Premier League clubs confirmed
- Spaniard ready to join Real Madrid instead of Liverpool
He did that in the first leg of the Spanish Super Copa at FC Barcelona in the 3-1 win, scoring a beautiful bar-down shot to give Los Blancos 3 away leg goals.
However, coming on as a sub four times this year already, twice in the league and twice in Champions League, Marco hasn’t scored a goal or been credited with an assist.
Don’t misconstrue my argument here. I am not saying that Marco Asensio has played poorly thus far this season.
His passing percentage, his shots per game, and his average match ratings have all been better than last year. I am wondering where his goal output is. This is a guy who was a guarantee to get a goal last season every time he stepped foot on the pitch. This year has not been that.
I mentioned in my three takeaways from the Tottenham match Tuesday that Real Madrid needs a consistent go-to guy who can score when they need a goal and they haven’t had that this year.
A season ago, not only was Ronaldo in form in front of goal, Asensio, and Alvaro Morata would come off the bench and provide the offense the team needed. I haven’t seen that from a substitute or even a starter this season.
Everyone in Spain, and Europe, knows what Marco Asensio is capable of. He showed it last season and over the summer with the Spanish U-21 national team. Is this a lot of pressure to put on a guy who has only been a regular in the Real Madrid squad for just over a year now?
I don’t think so because of the unbelievable amount of talent this kid possesses. He isn’t a regular starter, so, when he sees playing time he needs to perform at peak level. He knows this and all of us as Madrid fans know this.
I’m not concerned about Marco and his abilities, I just want him to return to the Marco we saw in the spring of this year.
I know he will, but when?
Next: Three takeaways from Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham