Real Madrid fears Marco Asensio ruptured his ACL against Arsenal on Tuesday
By Ben Sundock
After contributing on the first goal of the match and scoring the second, Real Madrid forward Marco Asensio was unfortunately stretchered off the pitch in the 65th minute with what appeared to be a serious knee injury. The club fears he could miss several months.
“We’re a bit concerned. It’s his knee, he’s gone straight to hospital for some tests so we’ll see,” Zinedine Zidane said of Marco Asensio’s injury after his side came from behind to defeat Arsenal on penalties.
The Spanish forward played only 20 minutes in this match coming off the bench in the second half to put in a great performance. Sadly, Zizou and the club fear that Asensio could be out of action for months if indeed he did rupture his ACL as the reports are indicating.
Trying to prove to Zidane that he can carry the load on the right side of the forward line, Asensio was phenomenal in every aspect of the game as his relentless effort and quick thinking helped Real Madrid back into the match.
After hitting the post with a shot from well outside the box, Asensio fought through a couple challenges and linked up nicely with Marcelo and Isco to set up the first goal for Gareth Bale. Marco managed to swipe the ball away from Arsenal goalkeeper Emiliano Martinez and Bale jumped on the loose ball to score.
Marco scored the Real Madrid second goal with a curling left-footed shot off of a great layoff pass from Marcelo on the edge of the box.
The injury occurred just a few minutes after his game-tying goal as he went in to challenge striker Pierre Emerick-Aubameyang and landed awkwardly on his left leg. It was a landing that looked strange and with little contact, it was clear something had happened immediately.
Marco Asensio’s frustration bubbled over as he lay on the pitch being attended to. He slammed his fist on the ground and looked to be on the brink of tears.
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All indicators point to a serious ACL injury for Marco which usually takes between six and nine months to fully heal depending on the severity of the damage to the tendon. My pessimistic mind is telling me that Asensio will miss this entire season, but I will try to stay positive.
We should learn more on the extent of the injury tomorrow and when surgery will – if it’s needed – take place.