Real Madrid News
Ancelotti blocked Real Madrid forward’s exit despite four big clubs interested
Real Madrid’s Supercopa win over Athletic Bilbao won them their first silverware of the season but came at a cost. Marco Asensio suffered a muscular injury during the very next training session and was ruled out for three weeks at least.
It was a big blow for Ancelotti’s plans as the forward had been in red hot form for the team. Though Asensio does not offer much in terms of building up, his ability to score goals out of nothing is an asset for the manager.
It only took 17 days for the Spanish international to return to action. Against Granada, he played the entire 90 minutes and recorded six shots on target. Moreover, it was his otherworldly strike that won his team the game.
According to reports from Diario AS (h/t theMadridZone), four clubs tried to sign Asensio last summer, but Ancelotti stopped his departure immediately because he wanted the youngster to be part of his setup.
Now, the 26-year-old has an advantage over other wingers in the team. AS report that he will now be a consistent and undisputed name in the team’s lineups.
In 18 league appearances this season, the former Mallorca man has scored six goals for Los Blancos. Moreover, he has created a big chance and averages one key pass every 90 minutes.
The worrying aspect of his game has been his inconsistency. While he comes up clutch on certain nights, most of his performances this season have been poor in terms of involvement in the game.
With Villarreal and PSG up next, Asensio will have to up his game to stay involved in the team dynamics.
Stats via Transfermarkt
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
