Real Madrid: 3 players who need to improve after the November break
Which Real Madrid stars must improve the most after the November international break end and Villarreal and Inter Milan await?
It’s been an up-and-down start to the 2020-2021 campaign for Real Madrid. There have been some incredible highs, such as the 3-1 win against Barcelona at the Camp Nou, but there have been some embarrassing lows. The back-to-back losses to Cadiz and Shakhtar Donetsk were the low-point in terms of the quality of the performances, but the recent 4-1 drubbing at the Mestalla feels the most deflating.
Real Madrid won’t have an easy schedule when they return from the November international break. They must face Villarreal, who are second in the league. And then a few days later, they have to face Inter Milan at the San Siro after barely beating Antonio Conte’s side 3-2 at home.
If these three players can step up and improve after the break, though, Los Blancos will like their chances of beating tough opponents, including Sevilla and Atletico Madrid in December.
Marco Asensio
Marco Asensio’s had some bright games this season. He had five dribbles completed off the bench in just 33 minutes, including the dribble that led to Vinicius Junior’s game-winning goal in the 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid. Asensio then followed that up with a solid display in a 2-0 win over Levante at the Estadio de la Ceramica.
But lately, Asensio has been awful. He still hasn’t scored or assisted this season, which is a huge negative. Asensio scored three goals upon returning from injury last season, including a brilliant goal against Valencia with his first touch. As the left-footed on the right side, Asensio is expected to use his sweet finishing to help Real find more goals. Unfortunately, that hasn’t happened.
The 2020-2021 season is a make-or-break one for Asensio. Real Madrid already have eyes on Kylian Mbappe, and Brahim Diaz and Takefusa Kubo are capable right wingers who are excelling on loan right now.
Asensio must step up. His performances against Valencia and Inter Milan in recent matches certainly aren’t cutting it.