Real Madrid vs Mallorca, LaLiga: A goal-fest in Madrid as Real Madrid thrashed mid-table placed Mallorca 6-1. Marco Asencio had a wonderful night with a hat-trick while Striker Karim Benzema was shy of a hat-trick of his own.
Benzema sparkled the night with an opener in the third minute and Asensio netted against his old club in the 24th minute of the game. However, the visitors pulled one back moments later with an outstanding solo run from the United States youngster Matthew Hoppe and finished by forward Kang-In Lee.
Asensio promptly restored Real’s two-goal advantage before the break. Completing his first hat-trick at the club level early in the second half with an emphatic finish, whipping the ball into the bottom corner from outside the area.
Benzema scored for the second time in the 78th minute to make it 200 LaLiga goals for the Frenchman. While Isco gave the garnishing touch with a six-goal before six-minute to the regular time.
Ancelotti’s side has also scored more goals after six games than any LaLiga team since Barcelona in the 2013-14 season. While Real Madrid’s highest goal start after six-game in history since the 1987-88 campaign.
Ancelotti started Asensio as a midfielder instead of his traditional forward role, which definitely made an impression in his first start of the season.
Real Madrid vs Mallorca: Post match interview.
Asensio on the match and his hat-trick.
“I’m really happy, today I had the chance to start, I knew I had to make the most of it, I’ve worked hard for this moment and very happy with the win, with the goals and to keep this team dynamic going,” Asensio said after the match.
The ex-Mallorca man added: “It was a special game for me, it’s a club I have a lot of affection for, where I grew up, they’ve started the season well and I hope the rest goes well.”
Ancelotti on Asensio’s performance.
Ancelotti was pleased with Asensio’s performance, saying: “He did really well, it’s true that putting him in that position is where he can hurt the opposing team, between the lines he has a lot of quality, he shoots well, he combines well with the forwards.
“He did well and let’s hope he can score three goals next week too.”
Ancelotti on Asensio’s new position.
On Asensio’s new position, Ancelotti added: “[He showed] that he can play in this position, it’s a position where he can do a lot of damage, it’s between the lines, it isn’t out wide, getting the ball there with the shot he has is dangerous for the opponents.”
Benzema’s performance views of Ancelotti
On Benzema’s night, Ancelotti said: “Of course right now Karim is really good, thinking he’s scored eight goals can make you forget he’s playing really well for the team, with the ball, assists for others, he’s a forward who doesn’t just score goals, he’s complete in every sense.
“When he’s tired we can bring on [Luka] Jovic who’s playing well. Jovic has difficult competition, but he’s doing well, he had chances today, he did well in Valencia when he played.”
Real top the standings on 16 points from six games, two ahead of second-placed Atletico Madrid. Mallorca are 10th on eight points.
Watch the game’s highlights of Real Madrid vs Mallorca, here.
