3 Real Madrid players with a point to prove vs. Athletic Club

RW Marco Asensio

Like Dani Carvajal, Marco Asensio followed up consecutive positive performances for Los Blancos with a real dud of a display vs. Sevilla. Aside from two chances – one of which he should have buried, to be honest, given shooting is the reason he is in the squad – Asensio was a ghost in another big match. He performs well against the likes of Rayo Vallecano and Granada, but where is he against teams like Sevilla?

Asensio must prove he is up to the task against Athletic Club. While they are not a Champions League-level side like Sevilla, their defense is elite. And that’s enough of a challenge to push Asensio. Real Madrid need to evaluate Asensio against these kinds of teams – not the likes of Rayo and Granada, with all due respect.

Every match is an important one for the Andalusian, whose spot in the squad is tenuous. Therefore, he has a major point to prove. Rodrygo Goes likely won’t be able to play against the Lions with gastroenteritis after missing the Sevilla match with the illness, so the onus is on Asensio to rebound.

A goal would be ideal, but Asensio must show more involvement and more of a willingness to take on responsibility in the attack. Competition for spots is stiff, and it will get even tenser next summer when Kylian Mbappe arrives.