Marco Asensio is inevitable. When he intercepted a bad pass in the first half of Real Madrid’s 2-2 draw with Valencia on Sunday, it seemed a foregone conclusion that he would stride past one defender, cut inside between another two, and hit an absolutely gorgeous shot to the far post. The run and goal were so casual that he even celebrated it like a veteran forward scoring a tap-in rather than a young player scoring a banger of a goal. (Even if those are the only type of goals that he’s capable of.)
GOAL: @marcoasensio10 makes it 70 consecutive games of @realmadriden getting on the scoresheet. #RMAVAL pic.twitter.com/2lkMjJwbq3
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 27, 2017
There was another moment in the second half, towards the end of the 55th minute, where I had to look up his age. I knew how old he was — 21 — but I still had to make sure, because his talent, composure, and confidence are those of a much more seasoned player.
He received the ball right above midfield with a defender close, so he took a touch downwards, towards his defense, to avoid the pressure. After, he turned left and rounded the defender before driving forward to the right side of the attacking third. Above him was Luka Modric, who occupied the space between two defenders. On his right was Dani Carvajal. That’s when Geoffrey Kondogbia, who was having a stormer of a game himself, closed him down. Asensio turned towards Carvajal, so that Kondogbia could only see his back and not the ball, and as soon as the Valencia man — who assumed Asensio was passing to his fullback — got really tight, Asensio exploded past him, played a one-two with Modric and got the ball at the top of the box for a shot.
The shot was off target, but the sequence was such a moment of supreme confidence and guile that I had to make sure that his 21 years weren’t like Tobie Mimboe’s.
One of the problem with young players is that you don’t want to get your hopes up. This story has played out so many times that it’s only sensible to want to take things slow. A young player shows up, impresses in a short amount of time, is anointed the NEXT BIG THING, only for that luster to wear off and disappointment to kick in when they fail to live up to such designation.
It’s not necessarily the fault of the player either. When one first arrives, he’s an unknown element to other teams, so he can show off. Fans, being naturally impatient and reactionary, build up an insane amount of hype. But as time goes on, coaches and players figure out how to stop him. Things get tougher. All of a sudden his flicks stop finding their targets, the dribbling is closed down much quicker, the defenders start anticipating the moves. Many times the young player fails to adapt and evolve beyond that initial stage; the goals dry up and the promise dies.
After going through this cycle enough times, it’s only natural to be skeptical of the next young star that comes in and lights it up for one season.
Yet, there are some players that it’s impossible not to love with absolute abandonment. There are some players that dominate in such a natural fashion that you’re obligated to declare that, barring any terrible misfortune, that they will be great. The ceiling of that greatness can vary but they will be better than the vast majority of other players. Asensio is one of those players. He is a star already.
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He has all the positive qualities of youth: fast, eager to impress and confident, without depending only on that speed. He tries shit, but doesn’t try to do too much. His intelligence stands as a foundation for all of his other attributes, so that he’s a great balance between the selfish forward and the willing creator. If he scores two, he also creates plenty of opportunities for others. He even tracks back.
When the hopes are already up and the player is justifying the belief, another problem arises. The problem of what to do with such a player. In any other team, Asensio would be a lock in the starting lineup. He would be a focal point of the attack, allowed to roam freely and do damage wherever he can. But Real Madrid isn’t a regular team. It took Isco years to earn his position on this team.
In Real Madrid, there is Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale, and Karim Benzema. All are amazing in their own right and have done things that Asensio can only dream about at this time. Asensio has no choice but to wait for his turn and to take those chances when he gets them.
Against Valencia, Ronaldo’s absence saw the youngster thrust into a starting position. With Bale and Benzema struggling to make an impact, it gave Asensio the opportunity to show what he was capable of.
After Kondogbia scored to put Valencia up 2-1, Real Madrid won a free kick on the right edge of Valencia’s box. The commentator said that with the foul being in a perfect position for a left-footer and Bale already substituted, that logically, Asensio had to take it. The argument was an attempt to apply enough reason to the situation so that a 21-year-old taking a pivotal chance in a team full of world-class players, including Marcelo, didn’t seem awkward.
There was no need for that argument.
Keep calm and let @marcoasensio10 take free kicks! @realmadriden draw level and cries of 'Remontada' ring through the Bernabeu. #RMAVAL pic.twitter.com/IIbPU8y1OI
— beIN SPORTS USA (@beINSPORTSUSA) August 27, 2017
The reason why Asensio should have taken the free kick was apparent throughout the game and has been staring at us all for over a year now. He’s great and should be given every chance to do what he does best. When he hit the ball, his goal was as inevitably successful as everything else he does. Not only is he good but he’s also of the mold of stars that gets better under pressure.
With the way that Asensio is playing, the problem of what to do with him is soon to be resolved. No matter his age, he’s going to leave Zidane with no choice but to find a place for him in the starting lineup. Because he’s just that damn good. When you have a player like Asensio, who’s destined for great things, it’s only to your benefit to give him the platform to shine.