Analysis as Marco Asensio is a little selfish but his finishing is first class in Real Madrid’s win over Eibar

Alex Rea

01:04 23/10/2017

Real Madrid moved back to within five points of La Liga leaders Barcelona with a hassle free 3-0 victory over Eibar on Sunday.

Here we look in-depth at the performance of Asensio.

STATS

Goals – 1

Assists – 0

Shots – 2

Shots on target – 2

Touches – 43

Passes – 28

Key passes – 2

Dribbles – 0

Dispossessed – 1

Marco Asensio celebrates his goal with Isco

EFFECTIVENESS

It’s a rare day when Cristiano Ronaldo is outshone at the Bernabeu but the younger generation in Isco and Asensio seemed to be playing their own game.

While Ronaldo sympathisers will claim it was to the detriment of the isolated Portuguese star ultimately the duo combined for the all-important second goal.

And it’s the front three blend which perhaps needs looking at rather than individuals. Ronaldo in a two is far better suited with Benzema alongside him and there’s an argument to be made boss Zinedine Zidane should operate with either Isco or Asensio rather than the two as wingers.

Still, looking exclusively at the 21-year-old’s performance, and Asensio was impressive, whether it be his link-up play (perhaps only with Isco) or his finishing ability.

He hadn’t scored in La Liga since his game-saving brace in the draw with Valencia but remarkably his third of the season now means he’s Real’s top scorer in the league.

The drawback from his display was the occasional selfishness and there’s perhaps a concern about his chemistry with the rest of the team.

But there’s time for maturity and it will come.

KEY MOMENTS

18th min KEY PASS: It’s an own goal but it’s a delicious cross from Asensio on the right side and under pressure from Ramos, Oliveira deflects the ball into the back of the net for Madrid’s opener.

28th min GOAL: Isco is freed on the left and he drags the ball back to Asensio who has just cut back into space inside the box and his first-time strike on the bounce is technically class, Dmitrovic should have been set better, and it slides across the goal and into the bottom corner.

50th min KEY PASS: A stunning stop from Dmitrovic as Ronaldo flicks the ball onto Asensio who slides and outside-of-the-boot ball into Isco’s path on the right only for his stinging drive to be saved.

61st min CHANCE: Modric caresses a perfectly weighted pass onto the foot of Asensio on the left edge of the box but Oliveira gets in the way to force a corner.

64th min SUB: Asensio’s evening is done and he is replaced by Benzema.

Marco Asensio (R) celebrates with Nacho Fernandez