Marco Asensio Explains the Difference Behind His & Ex-Real Star Morata's Bernabeu Situations

Marco Asensio has offered up an assessment of the differences between his and ex-Real Madrid star Alvaro Morata's lack of game time at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The 21-year-old has had to be patient under Zinedine Zidane this season, with only 10 of his 19 appearances for Los Blancos coming from the start.

It is those inconsistent starting berths which many state led to Morata's decision to leave for the second time following his return to Spain's capital, but in quotes published by Marca, Asensio revealed there was a slight difference between the pair's fortunes under the Frenchman.

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He said: "The case of Morata is different. I'm 21 years old, I am young. I'm getting starts. I will try to keep working to earn more minutes in the important matches.

"I've always said that what I'm trying to do is work with the hope of being more and more important, and taking advantage of the minutes they give me."

Asensio has started the majority of his games for Real in La Liga, while a number of his substitute appearances have come in the Champions League and cup competitions.

The young playmaker has plenty of top talent to learn from, however, with the likes of Toni Kroos, Luka Modric and Cristiano Ronaldo all on hand to offer advice and guidance to the fledgling Spain international.

It is the latter of those trio that Asensio was quizzed about ahead of his side's Champions League clash with APOEL Nicosia, with Ronaldo coming in for some criticism over his recent form domestically.

Asensio, though, backed the Portuguese superstar to return to the goalscoring trail in the near future, with the 32-year-old without a league goal in four outings.

He added: "I think he's looking very well, as always, with a lot of enthusiasm. He's not having a luck in the league in front of the goal, but Cristiano always comes back and returns the numbers that he's used to."