Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has admitted Marco Asensio could be used as a false nine for the season ahead.
Following the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus this summer, Real Madrid have a huge gap left in the centre of their attack with only Karim Benzema there to fill the role.
In Madrid’s 3-1 friendly victory over Juventus on Saturday evening, Asensio came off the bench and featured in a false nine role scoring twice.
And new Madrid coach Lopetegui believes Asensio could thrive in that role over the next season.
“It’s an option,” he said after the win (via Goal).
“Pre-season is a time when we can test different things and what we need to do is look for resources or different ideas within the team.
“It was good to see him play at that position and he played extremely well. It’s not important where he plays but how he plays.”
The 13-time European champions have been linked with a move for Bayern Munich striker Robert Lewandowski this summer as well as Paris Saint-Germain forward Neymar, though neither deal looks likely.
Madrid have one final pre-season friendly against Roma on Wednesday before kicking off their competitive season in the UEFA Super Cup against city rivals, and Europa League winners, Atletico Madrid.
Marco Asensio’s Madrid career
Initially signing from RCD Mallorca in 2014, Asensio spent his two seasons on the books at Real Madrid away on loan at Mallorca and then Espanyol.
He finally made his Madrid competitive debut in the 2016 Super Cup final, scoring in a 3-2 win for Madrid over Sevilla.
Since then, he has made 91 appearances for Los Blancos across all competitions, scoring 21 goals and recording 10 assists as well as winning La Liga and two Champions League titles.
The post Marco Asensio “an option” as Real Madrid’s false nine with Ronaldo gone, says Julen Lopetegui appeared first on Squawka News.
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