Marco Asensio set a record for scoring off the bench. In the first leg of Real Madrid’s quarterfinal match against Chelsea earlier today (April 12), Marco Asensio scored a record-tying ninth UEFA Champions League goal while playing off the bench.
With the score at 1-0, the Spanish playmaker replaced Rodrygo Goes in the 71st minute of the match. He had an immediate effect and scored three minutes later to give the La Liga heavyweights a 2-0 victory at home.
Vinicius Junior delivered a short corner at the edge of the box for Real Madrid to accomplish. Asensio received the pass precisely, and he slipped the ball between Wesley Fofana’s knees and out of Kepa Arrizabalaga’s grasp.
This was the 27-year-old’s ninth Champions League goal from the bench, according to @ESPNFC. No player has more throughout the competition’s history. In 56 games of the competition, he has 12 goals and three championships with Los Blancos.
Asensio is accustomed to being named on Real Madrid’s recent bench. Only 12 starts have been given to the Spain international this season across all competitions by Carlo Ancelotti.
Asensio may have refrained from renewing his Real Madrid contract due to a lack of playing time. When his contract at the Santiago Bernabeu expires this summer, he may leave as a free agent. Liverpool has been mentioned as a potential suitor as they look to replace Roberto Firmino, who is set to leave.
Since Graham Potter was fired by Chelsea on April 1 after the Blues’ 2-0 league loss to Aston Villa, Chelsea has failed to register a goal. Since then, they have played three games in various leagues, losing 1-0 to Wolverhampton Wanderers in the Premier League and drawing 0-0 with Liverpool.
The West London giants have struggled to score this season, scoring only 29 goals in 30 Premier League games. This season, none of their players have scored more than ten goals in a single competition.
The fact that only Raheem Sterling (seven) and Kai Havertz (nine) have scored more than three goals in that period shows how terrible Chelsea’s offensive performance has been. To have any chance of qualifying, they must score two goals or more against Real Madrid on April 18 at Stamford Bridge.
With one game remaining, Chelsea presently sits in 11th position in the league standings, 17 points behind fourth-placed Manchester United. Their sole chance of making the tournament the next year is to win the Champions League this year.
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