Real Madrid: 3 predictions for forwards for the rest of 2019-2020

Marco Asensio is the league’s best super sub

Vinicius Junior has played the super-sub role for Real Madrid this season, but it will be Marco Asensio who steals the show in this role for the remainder of the 2019-2020 La Liga season. And after all, he did already steal the show in the massive win over Valencia, scoring with his first touch since returning from an ACL tear and then later assisting well for Karim Benzema’s wonderful third goal.

Asensio has one of the best pure shots in all of European football, as his rocket of a left foot is capable from scoring pretty much any distance. His ability to cut inside and deliver bangers from the left will be important for Real.

Although Asensio was listed as an ideal starter for Zinedine Zidane before the league restarted, that could be a role filled by either Eden Hazard shifting to the right or Rodrygo Goes rotating in. And Gareth Bale needs his minutes. Asensio still needs to be eased along, and his best contributions may be against tired defenses where he can find space or provide a crucial goal.

Look for Asensio to take everyone by storm as a super-sub, entering games early in the second half as either a right winger or in another attacking midfielder role. He could even come in as the striker if needed, though Luka Jovic and Mariano Diaz would be preferential for those opportunities (consider Brahim as well).

Asensio is an X-Factor for Real Madrid, and there are more goals yet to come from his left foot.