Asensio reacts to scoring hat-trick in 1st start of the season

"I'm very happy," Marco Asensio said after scoring a hat-trick against Mallorca, which was his first start of the 2021/22 season at Real Madrid.

"I knew I had to take advantage of the opportunity. I'm very happy with the win and with the goals.

"It has been a special game, Mallorca is a club that I love. The coach can count on me.

"There is a lot of competition, you have to be prepared when you get the chance.

"This [central midfielder] is a good position for me, I'll play wherever the coach puts me. We are all involved, and it shows, this is the way forward."

Prior to the game, there had been reports that Asensio was unhappy with the lack of playing time this season. Carlo Ancelotti gave the 25-year-old his chance and he didn't disappoint.