Real Madrid: 5 questions surrounding the attack before season resumes

2. Can Marco Asensio be the answer?

Based on reporting from Tomas Roncero of AS, it looks like Zinedine Zidane will favor a trio of Eden Hazard, Karim Benzema, and Marco Asensio as his three-pronged attack. Zidane has used a few different forward looks, including with two men up front, but the 4-3-3 is usually Real’s best bet.

Asensio’s sweet left foot makes him an intriguing starting right winger, as he’s capable of scoring some of the most beautiful goals you can imagine from outside the box. A smart, creative player with an eye for a key pass, Asensio’s ability to provide a goal-scoring spark opposite of the industrious, ball-carrying Hazard (or youngster Vinicius Junior) will be important.

The coming weeks will be among the biggest of Asensio’s career, since he will be both ready to prove that he’s still a high-quality player after an ACL tear and will be ready to prove he can lock down a starting job over the next few years under Zidane. Because Real are always looking for upgrades.

Gareth Bale will still get some starts in the rotation, as will Lucas Vazquez. But the keys are in Asensio’s hands. With Benzema and Hazard in the same front three, Asensio has an opportunity to do something special for the remainder of the season.