Real Madrid: 3 players who must step up with Rodrygo Goes injured

RW  Marco Asensio

Marco Asensio played what was easily his best game of the season on Wednesday night at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano against Granada. In fact, he was the man who came onto the pitch for Rodrygo Goes after the injury instead of Vinicius Junior or Eden Hazard.

The Andalusian forward rewarded Zinedine Zidane’s trust with a Man of the Match display. He nearly scored the goal of the season with the back of his heel, and then, shortly after, he provided the game’s first assist with a picture-perfect run off-the-ball and cross to Casemiro.

Asensio nearly had a second assist when he set up Isco, but the midfielder could not settle his feet inside the penalty box.

It was a strong display all-around from the No. 11, who really needed a good showing after several disappointing outings as a starter or substitute. Asensio can be a difference-maker for Real Madrid in the second-half of the season, and he and Lucas Vazquez are both useful right wingers for this team with different skill-sets. Of course, Asensio played on the left against Granada, where he was able to focus on setting up teammates.

Asensio can still be a great player for Real. There are questions regarding his future with the team as a starter, and Asensio can provide positive answers to them if he can return to form and then build on his performances.