Real Madrid: Stars and flops from an iconic 3-1 victory over PSG

Flop: RB Dani Carvajal

There is a reason why Dani Carvajal was a flop in this game and that reason isn’t Kylian Mbappe rather it was Marco Asensio. Carvajal was doing well with holding runs to trap Mbappe offside but he struggled in 1v1s. And, that was expected, to be honest. There was no support from Marco Asensio in the first half. But, in the second, things changed with Rodrygo’s introduction. He was much better defensively and much more physical.

Aside from losing the duel against Kylian Mbappe, Dani Carvajal was poor with his crossing and passing. He offered very little on the attacking end. Even if I could forgive him for the duel with Mbappe, I cannot let his sloppy attacking play go unnoticed. He was a flop in this game.

Flop: RW Marco Asensio

The worst player on the pitch and by quite some distance. Real Madrid’s starting right-winger, Marco Asensio was once again a ghost in a very important match. He offered absolutely nothing. His runs off the ball were horrible and couldn’t capitalize on the opportunities that fell to him. His pressing play and defensive work rate is next to none and that is why Kylian Mbappe was able to use his long strides to move up the pitch so many times in the first half.

But, I am happy that Asensio didn’t score a golazo this time. I think this performance should serve Carlo Ancelotti a lesson of why one shouldn’t start the team’s worst presser in a game that calls for press. Asensio might just be done at Real Madrid with another 0/10 performance. He needs to look away from Real Madrid and find a fit, he’s 26 now and is quickly approaching his footballing prime.