Marco Asensio has an affair with the Champions League when the European competition enters its decisive phase. He has eight goals and seven of them have been in the knockout rounds (three in the round of 16, two in the quarterfinals, one in the semifinals and one in the final). Only one has scored it in the group stage, although it was also special: it was against Legia Warsaw on October 18, 2016 in their debut in the top continental competition. In that meeting he fulfilled his appointment with another of his specialties: scoring at his debut in a great tournament.
Against Liverpool, the Spaniard returned to his best version. He played on the right (his preferred demarcation) and got the second goal for Zidane's. It was a goal with double value, because he mixed delivery and quality. He kept an eye on the pressure, forced Arnold's mistake, and outwitted Alisson with a subtle touch. In front of the English, Zizou He asked him to deliver in defense because of Robertson's offensive vocation and Asensio fulfilled in both areas.
That goal against net It was also a personal record in his career as a professional: It is the first time that he has chained four consecutive games scoring. He had also scored against Atalanta, Celta and Eibar. In those first two games, he was a substitute and was vindicated with goals from the bench. An aim that helped him regain a position in the eleven that is now non-negotiable.
The European rivals against whom he achieves the goals are substantial: two against Bayern (in the quarter-finals of 2016-17 and in the semifinals of 2017-18), two against Ajax (in the eighth of 2018-19) and the one he did to Atalanta in the current edition. Moments of truth motivate Marco.
Sweet moment
These good performances represent a vindication for the Balearic, who has lived through difficult moments this season. It was his return after a long knee injury and he has lived the logical ups and downs after such a long inactivity. However, Asensio has felt that in those gray moments he has received excessive criticism, when it is common after leaving an operation.
Now he's full of confidence and ready to perform at his highest level when his team needs him most. He also has a very special goal in mind: to go to the European Championship next summer. He knows that he has the confidence of Luis Enrique and, if he becomes indisputable at Real Madrid, he will also have his place with La Roja.