Sixty-four minutes had gone by at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Wednesday night and the Real Madrid crowd were grumbling.
RB Leipzig had most of the game and all of the chances to score. Madrid had not had a shot on target. Carlo Ancelotti needed to make some changes.
The first player to leave was not a surprise, Eduardo Camavinga had barely had a kick in midfield. Most watching assumed that the rested Toni Kroos was about to come on and bring some more order to Madrid’s play.
But instead, Ancelotti decided to send on winger Marco Asensio, who has barely featured this season after trying to work a way out of the club. Asensio’s first appearance of the campaign at the Bernabeu was greeted by loud whistles from fans who do not appreciate his most recent behaviour.
That consternation in the stands was matched by some momentary confusion down the right of Madrid’s team, as Asensio took up Camavinga’s role in the midfield three, while midfielder-by-trade Federico Valverde continued in his “false winger” role in the front three.
Less than half an hour later the atmosphere among Madrid’s players and their fans had turned around completely. Superbly struck goals by Valverde and Asensio gave their team a 2-0 lead, and put last season’s Champions League winners in full control of group F.
It may not have been clear to most of us at the time he made his substitution, but Ancelotti knew what he was doing. And the wily Italian has shown lots of managerial skill and experience in his handling of both goalscorers through recent months.
The Asensio situation was the most pressing, and startling.
Marco Asensio's resilience with Spain... and Real Madrid
It hasn't been an easy few months for Marco Asensio, with Real Madrid prepared to let him leave in the summer, but he has remained focused on his goals: going to the World Cup with Spain and earning a new deal at the Bernabeu.
The 26-year-old's contract with Los Blancos expires at the end of the season, but, rather than offer him a new deal, the club told him we was welcome to seek a new club in the summer.
They felt it might be best for him to seek pastures new, but the Palma native chose to stay and fight for his future.
The recent call-up by Luis Enrique to the Spain squad, so close to the Qatar World Cup, will serve as both vindication and motivation for Asensio.
He wants to forge his own path, not let himself be blown wherever the winds may take him, and he has clear aims.
The Real Madrid attacker has joined the Spain camp in excellent shape, despite having only played 47 minutes this season. He has been working hard, though, preparing for his moment.
Asensio's inclusion in the Spain squad at this time is a huge display of faith from Luis Enrique and little by little he is earning the trust of his club boss, too.
Carlo Ancelotti has indicated to the attacker that he is likely to receive more minutes, especially since the injury to Lucas Vasquez.
The latter, incidentally, is proof that players can earn their way back into the picture at Real Madrid.
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