A FUMING Marco Asensio threw a bottle and a bib in a dugout meltdown after not being brought on the pitch for Real Madrid.
The reigning La Liga Champions made it five wins in a row and maintained their perfect start after coming from behind against Mallorca.
A stunning individual goal by Federico Valverde got Madrid back in the game before they ran away with it.
The only downside for Carlo Ancelotti’s side was the touchline antics of Asensio, who is out of contract at the end of the year.
The forward was disappointed at not coming on to face his former club as the manager made second-half changes.
While Eduardo Camavinga, Nacho, Luka Modric and Dani Carvajal made second half appearances off the bench, Asensio was left as an unused substitute.
READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
Tension boiled over for the 26-year-old at one point when he was snubbed by Ancelotti.
The Spaniard could be seen ending a touchline warm-up, marching back to the dugout and throwing a training bib towards a seat.
Asensio then appears to kick out at something on the ground as he heads back to the substitute’s bench.
When he sits down, he chucks a bottle down in frustration.
Most read in Football
After the game, Ancelotti said: “Asensio’s anger for not playing? I agree with him, so I’ll keep it in mind.”
His reaction could be of interest to some Premier League clubs, with Asensio long-linked with a move to England and a free agent next year.
The attacker reportedly attracted the interest of Newcastle in July with the Magpies considering whether to pounce.
Asensio, who has been at Real Madrid since 2014, was also believed to have been pursued by Arsenal.
The star’s reaction to not being subbed on was the only blemish in an otherwise fine day for Los Blancos.
After falling behind to Vedat Muriqi’s goal, Valverde’s dribbled from the halfway line before hitting a stunning effort from the edge of the box to equalise.
His goal lit the touch paper with Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and former Chelsea-star Antonio Rudiger netting in the second half.
It was the defender’s first goal for the club since his summer move from Stamford Bridge.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
