Real Madrid: 3 players who must step up with Dani Carvajal injured again

RW Marco Asensio

In the last two games with Dani Carvajal back on the right side of the defense, Zinedine Zidane started Lucas Vazquez as the right winger. Vazquez ended up having a strong match against Inter, getting minutes over Marco Asensio, who has been one of Los Blancos’ biggest disappointments over the past month.

Since Vazquez must move to right back and wasn’t really a weekly solution on the wing anyway, it’s time for Asensio to return to his best form. Asensio scored three goals upon his return from an ACL tear this summer, even scoring with his first touch vs. Valencia.

But Asensio, aside from some nice dribbling off the bench against Real Valladolid very early in the season, has been poor in 2020-2021. He hasn’t made any goal contributions and is really struggling with his finishing, which has been the biggest negative.

Asensio needs to step up in two ways. Real Madrid need him to score goals. But they also need him to do a better job of creating for others, even if he is a left-footed right winger. He can still provide better passing and make better decisions in the final third. Real Madrid also need him to work defensively to help Lucas Vazquez.

With Vazquez on the right, Asensio can pinch inside, flood the box, and go for goal. He needs to convert those chances, though. Rodrygo is the better option on the right when Asensio isn’t in form, but Zidane needs to keep giving Asensio chances and minutes to prove himself in such an important season.