Asencio reacts after Real Madrid 2-0 Levante: ‘A very important day in front of our fans’ | OneFootball

Real Madrid secured their first win under new manager Alvaro Arbeloa as they defeated Levante 2-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu today.

While the performance was not exactly convincing, the Merengues managed to secure all three points, riding on goals from Kylian Mbappe and Raul Asencio.

The result takes Real Madrid to within one point of La Liga leaders FC Barcelona, who have a tricky assignment against Real Sociedad away from home on Sunday.

Asencio highlights second half performance

Speaking to RMTV (h/t AS) after the match, Asencio stressed how important it was for Real Madrid to win the game in front of their fans today after a lean run which saw them lose to Barcelona (Spanish Super Cup) and Albacete (Copa del Rey).

“Today was a very important day in front of our fans, we all wanted to turn the situation around, something happened in Albacete that shouldn’t have happened, the team gave a good image especially in the second half,” said Asencio.

The goalscorers. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images)

Talking about the half-time discussion after a rather quiet first period and what changed for the team after the break, the Real Madrid academy graduate said:

“We talked in the locker room, I think we reached a common understanding, it’s important to talk things through, the manager’s opinion, the advice he gives us, and thanks to that we were able to turn the situation around.”

Finally, Asencio explained what new manager Arbeloa asks of him and the rest of the team, as he stated:

“He asks us to enjoy ourselves, to be protagonists in every match, to focus on ourselves and not on the opponent, and little by little we will reach our goal.”

Regarding his goal, Asencio added: “I’m starting to enjoy it. I feel the fans’ support every day. When I play, on the street, on social media. I feel that affection.”

With the first win out of the way, Arbeloa & co. will now shift their focus to the UEFA Champions League as they face AS Monaco next Tuesday, again at the Bernabeu.