Zidane‘s Starting XI Declaration Nearly Cost Asensio His Real Madrid Debut
Madrid, Spain – A pre-match confidence boost from then-Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane almost resulted in a disastrous debut for Marco Asensio, the player revealed in a recent interview with Marca. Asensio recounted a frantic morning ahead of the 2016 European Super Cup against Sevilla FC,triggered by the news he would be in the starting lineup.
The Majorcan midfielder, now playing for Fenerbahçe, explained he slept so soundly after learning of Zidane’s decision that he overslept and missed his alarm. “I was terrified of being late,” Asensio told Marca. “I even missed my first official match!”
Security ultimately woke him with a knock at the door, where he was met by a less-than-amused Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo. “I came down, Sergio Ramos and Cristiano Ronaldo said a few words to me. I was mortified, but I learned my lesson.”
Despite the chaotic start to the day, Asensio did take the field, starting in attack alongside Álvaro Morata and Lucas Vázquez. He marked the occasion by opening the scoring in the 21st minute with a 25-meter strike. real Madrid ultimately won the match 3-2 in extra time, with late goals from Sergio Ramos (93rd minute) and Dani Carvajal (119th minute) securing the victory.
Asensio credits Zidane,his “first idol in football,” as one of the two most impactful coaches of his career,alongside Valery Karpin,his former manager at Mallorca. He debuted with Real Madrid under zidane in August 2016 after a loan spell with Espanyol.
