Real Madrid are staying with FC Barcelona – because Marco Asensio scores with his first ball contact in almost a year and Karim Benzema performs magic.
Real Madrid remain on top of FC Barcelona in the Spanish title race after a narrow victory over FC Valencia.
The Royal side beat the eighth-placed team 3-0 (0-0) – and, in addition to the win, they were particularly delighted with the dream comeback of offensive player Marco Asensio.
The 24-year-old was substituted for Federico Valverde at 1-0. For almost a year – 329 days to be precise – the Spaniard had to wait for this moment following a torn cruciate ligament, and only 30 seconds after his substitution, Asensio scored the decisive 2-0 (74th).
Zidane thrilled
After a corner from the right, the ball landed on the left side at Ferland Mendy. He brought the ball back into the penalty area, where Asensio took the ball directly into the goal. His first goal in La Liga since September 2018.
“That’s the way to get the hell back,” cried Dani Carvajal.
“It means a lot, especially for him,” coach Zinedine Zidane said afterwards, “We are very happy to have Marco back on the pitch. But most of all we are happy for him. Seeing him score a great goal with his first touch of the ball.”
Asensio was “very happy” to get in at all.
“It’s been many months of hard work. I’m very happy to play again, to score and to win,” said the returnee at Movistar. He feels “many emotions and satisfaction”.