Asensio's long-range stunner shouldn't be a surprise and other Deadly Stats as Real Madrid cruise past Las Palmas

Aditya Devavrat 08:20 06/11/2017
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    • Real Madrid quietened crisis talk after back-to-back defeats as Marco Asensio added to his collection of wonder strikes in a 3-0 victory over Las Palmas at the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

    Victory cuts third-placed Real’s deficit on Barcelona at the top of La Liga back to eight points.

    However, it was another off night for Madrid’s strikers as Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema were held scoreless as Casemiro, Isco and 21-year-old Asensio provided the killer touch.

    Here are Seven Deadly Stats from Sunday’s game…

    REAL MADRID’S MILESTONE MAN

    Sometimes it can be hard to remember that Marcelo hasn’t been around forever, so long has his career seemed, even considering that most people will recall memories of Marcelo’s predecessor at left-back, Roberto Carlos.

    Marcelo has continued the tradition his compatriot established before him as a marauding, thrilling presence on the left side of Madrid’s defence, and on Sunday he deservedly joined Carlos in a select club.

    BENZEMA KEEPING THE DEBATE GOING

    Karim Benzema has been making headlines recently, although not for reasons he’d appreciate. Ever since Gary Lineker called the Frenchman overrated during Real Madrid’s 1-1 draw with Tottenham, debate has raged around the striker’s talents.

    The team has rallied behind their man, with Zidane and club president Florentino Perez both praising the striker for his all-around brilliance and the way he fulfills his role in the side effectively. And there’s little doubt that Benzema can be a deadly striker and is capable of magic on the ball.

    For all that Lineker is an excellent pundit, he may have gotten it wrong on this occasion. But at the moment Benzema isn’t making the greatest of cases for himself.

    CASEMIRO PICKS UP SURPRISE FIRST

    Ronaldo, Karim Benzema, Sergio Ramos – Madrid are blessed with some excellent headers of the ball, which make the side a danger from any set-piece near the box.

    So it’s surprising that three months into the season, Los Blancos had yet to score with a header.

    Casemiro changed that with the side’s opener on the night.

    ASENSIO, LA LIGA’S LONG-RANGE SPECIALIST

    Asensio announced himself with two excellent long-range strikes against Barcelona in this season’s Supercopa. Given how memorable those goals were, it won’t come as a surprise to anyone to find out that the young Spaniard is capable of repeating the feat.

    But his goal on Sunday night was still something special. A half-volley, from outside the box, arrowing and swerving into the top corner – it was simultaneously beautiful and brutal.

    It also cements his reputation as one of La Liga’s premier long-range specialists. All four of his league strikes have come from outside the box.

    Oh, and he also happens to be Real Madrid’s top scorer in the league.

    VALLEJO’S STUNNING DEBUT

    At just 20, Jesus Vallejo was making his first La Liga start for Real Madrid, stepping in for the injured Raphael Varane.

    By the end of the game, it would have been shocking to think this was his full debut. Vallejo put in an imperious performance alongside Sergio Ramos, mopping up play at the back and denying Las Palmas at every opportunity. And given Ramos’ love for going forward and joining Madrid’s attacks, Vallejo was often the lone defender at the back, but that didn’t seem to faze him. At one point he stopped a 3-v-1 break with some fine defending.

    He ended with a 100% success rate in his tackling, and three interceptions – second only to Ramos on the night among Madrid players.

    Jesus Vallejo (R) was in fine form on his full La Liga debut for Madrid.

    Jesus Vallejo (R) was in fine form on his full La Liga debut for Madrid.

    THE RONALDO STAT THAT MATTERS (FOR NOW)

    So, yes, yet again Ronaldo failed to find the back of a net in a La Liga match. He’s still on one league goal for the season.

    Until that happens, however, let’s remember that while Ronaldo’s main currency is goals, he’s no slouch when it comes to providing them for his teammates.

    Perhaps the selfish tag can be shrugged off.

    THE RONALDO STAT THAT DOESN’T MAKE SENSE

    Standard logic dictates that you need to shoot to score. It also follows that if you’re a world-class striker, the more you shoot, the more you’ll score.

    Lionel Messi has been proving this true so far this season, leading La Liga in both shots and goals.

    So what’s the issue with Ronaldo?

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