The Real Champs
Fansided

Real Madrid’s right flank conundrum

By Hasan Karim

MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 02: A general view outside the stadium ahead of the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 02, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - MARCH 02: A general view outside the stadium ahead of the La Liga match between Real Madrid CF and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on March 02, 2019 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /
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MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Athletic de Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN – APRIL 21: Marco Asensio of Real Madrid during the La Liga Santander match between Real Madrid v Athletic de Bilbao at the Santiago Bernabeu on April 21, 2019 in Madrid Spain (Photo by David S. Bustamante/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Marco Asensio

It seems an age ago that Marco Asensio smashed in a screamer against Barcelona and was the new golden boy in Spain. Little more than a year on and one would barely recognise Madrid’s number 20 as the same player.

Seemingly shot of confidence and rocked by the lack of consistency this season, Asensio’s stock seems to have taken quite a hit. When Cristiano Ronaldo left, Asensio was dubbed as the one would could step up and be a corner-stone. However, with just 1 goal and 4 assists in just over 1,600 minutes this season, there is something clearly wrong.

Whilst there has been flashes of brilliance – it’s been few and far between. The Spaniard now finds himself on the other side of the fence, where fans call for the head of players. Football is ruthless, even more so in the capital of Spain. Great contributions are quickly forgotten when a continued haze of mediocrity triggers the knee-jerk mindset of the angry football fan. Time is not afforded in Madrid and Asensio may find himself in a make-or-break season next year, perform? He’ll remain in Spain. Falter? He may find himself on the first ship out.

Verdict: He stays.

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