| Marco Asensio – A very complex situation.

Today I will try and explain the situation Marco Asensio currently finds himself in — it is not as simple as "he isn't good enough" or "needs more games" – it is still a very delicate situation for Spaniard.

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| INJURY

After having his worst professional career season, Asensio was looking to turn the page under the returning Zinedine Zidane & during the 2nd match of pre-season last year, Asensio scored a beautiful worked goal v Arsenal.

| Injury:

6 minutes after scoring the goal, Marco Asensio ruptured his Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL) & had lateral meniscus tear.

Asensio went through surgery, rehabilitation & made his return last season post Covid-19 break.

| Injury risks – Aftermath!

There are numerous inherent risks after the rupture of ACL. With research, it shows that there is a 3% chance of re-rupturing the ACL & there is an increased risk of other lower body injuries, on the injuried or non-injuried side.

| Injury — Aftermath

There's a consistent risk with ACL but usually the aftermath is different to contact injuries & non-contact one, Marco falls into 2nd department which eases in the situation.

Another good news is ACL recoveries have come long way due to how common it is.

| Injury – Return to full form!

As explained, the recovery process has come long way & chances of players leaving them behind are very high — but returning to pre-injury ohysical state requires patience & time, by player, manager & medical staff.

| RETURN issues:

• Covid-19 break was positive for him to return during the season, but that meant Asensio returned during the most hectic schedule & what is most important for a player returning, pre-season did not exist in 2020 & that has set him back completely.

| Full Fitness

| "I'm slowly returning to a more optimal level." – Asensio, November.

His interview confirmed that he is not at the necessary physical state, and the hectic schedule of the season meant that his minutes have to be controlled perfectly.

| Player Profile:

Marco Asensio is very good at moving between the lines & linking play up on final third, his passing crossing & shooting is very good but he hasn't been able to completely showcase them this season.

| Player Profile

This is Asensio at his best — here he was able to showcase the best of his abilities, from combination play to scoring, this is him at his best on set uo that fits the profile.

This is the match where Asensio also got injuried.

| Asensio this season:

| 482 mins
| 11 games — 5 starts
| 0
| 0

| 0.4 xG
| 0.4 xA
| 0.18 xG + xA per 90

Very disappointing.

( @fbref)).

| Marco Asensio v Competition

• Vinícius Jr. | 748 - 2 - 1 - 0.60 xG + xA per 90
• Rodrygo | 315 - 0 - 3 - 0.62 xG + xA per 90
• Lucas | 690 - 0 - 1 - 0.25 xG + xA per 90

Far & behind.

( @fbref).

| Lack of productivity.

Marco Asensio has been used throughout both wings & has been least productive out of all — even Lucas who has spent good portions of minutes as RB instead of RW.

This is disappointing regardless of his physical state — he is turning 25 this January.

| Losing the spot!

Asensio was starter at a point this season, Zidane even put faith on him to start El Clásico but lack of productivity & initiative going forward has been an issue picked by the coach as Asensio has dropped into off the bench option.

| Role

Marco Asensio was supposed to create a trident with Eden Hazard & Karim Benzema, but currently he finds himself behind Lucas Vázquez for RW & possibly Rodrygo & behind Vinícius Jr. & obviously when fit Eden Hazard for LW.

He'll need to improve & rather quick.

| Time

Marco will need time as said, but his lack of initiative going forward is not part of physical state, it's a mental block that he needs to get past & given his age & experience, there's not much else you expecr from a player at his current state to do.

| Final Verdict

Asensio's season has been disappointing so far, not enough shot generation & chance creation, lack of general play on final 3rd & lapses of concentration defensively.

Improvements are required & he should make himself a viable option again.

| Final Verdict

Real Madrid has a full squad now & he can settle, pressure will be less to find his feet & step up from others should allow him to get on at his pace — but he hasn't justified the minutes & should start doing so.

Hopefully he will as options are required.