Real Madrid will face their league match this Thursday against Getafe at Alfredo Di Stéfano without Eden Hazard; The Belgian, sore at the accumulation of blows that he receives match after match (many in his not-so-recently operated right ankle), will stop as a precaution and will reserve himself for the final five days, in which Madrid must certify the LaLiga title. His absence clearly propels Vinicius to tenure on the left side, his natural site, and reopens the debate on the right, where the list of options is extensive: Lucas, Rodrygo, Bale … and Asensio.
The Balearic's return to competition was a flash, after eleven months out of play due to a rupture of the anterior cruciate ligament and external meniscus during a friendly against Arsenal in the United States, in late July 2019. In Real Madrid he was not counted on for this course, given the circumstances, although he had hopes from the start of shortening the deadlines to go to the Euro Cup. The coronavirus crisis paralyzed everything and gave Asensio an unexpected role in this end of the 2019-20 campaign, also without the added pressure of the national team appointment, postponed to next summer.
Great return against Valencia
On June 18, against Valencia at Di Stéfano, he returned and within 29 seconds he had already left his stamp with a volley to make Madrid 2-0; minutes later, he attended Benzema for the third. With the French striker in great moment and Hazard recovered, the debate was over whether Asensio could already be a starter on the right, but Zidane stopped dead: “We have to go step by step, we have time, you don't have to think you're done, you have to play every game. Tranquility, is what we are doing and he, too “.
Since it was learned that Asensio could be available this season, in Madrid they agreed with the player and his environment a simple return, without pressure to shorten deadlines and without forcing the least. The objective since he was injured was the following season and it still is, but circumstances allow him to play a leading role in the possible achievement of the LaLiga 34 title for Madrid and Hazard's absence against Getafe multiplies his ballots to enter a possible starting eleven.
Asensio looks ready
Zidane has already shown his caution and they share it in the club, although the Balearic is prepared to, if the coach deems it appropriate, be part of the duel from the start. The left knee is responding perfectly during training and Asensio does not perceive discomfort that causes him to apply the brake. He has already accumulated 16, 12 and 19 minutes against Valencia, Real Sociedad and Mallorca, respectively, although at Espanyol's home he stayed on the bench. If Zidane applies the logic he has been showing in previous duels, the attack against Getafe could be made up of Vinicius, Benzema and Rodrygo, but Asensio opposes that position on the right (his favorite place in the attack) and this could be the time for you to take the last step in your recovery.