Marco Asensio: To doubt Barcelona's strength is to not know about football

Published 18/08/2017 at 20:41 GMT

Real Madrid midfielder Marco Asensio has said that arch-rvials Barcelona remain 'a great team' despite their loss of Brazilian forward Neymar.

Marco Asensio celebra y Kovacic no se lo cree

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PSG signed the forward in a world-record transfer of €222 million and following Madrid's comprehensive 5-1 aggregate victory over Barca in the Spanish Super Cup it has been suggested that Barcelona are no longer what they were.

However Asensio, who scored a sensational goal in the Super Cup, has dismissed any such suggestion.

When asked in an interview with ABC about Barcelona's reliance on Lionel Messi in relation to Real Madrid's collective strength Asensio replied "To doubt Barcelona's strength is not to know about football."

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Marco Asensio of Real Madrid CF celebrates scoring their opening goal during the Supercopa de Espana Final 2nd Leg match between Real Madrid and FC Barcelona at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on August 16, 2017 in Madrid, Spain

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He added: "It's the same team that beat us 3-2 not too long ago at the Bernabeu and in the final fight for the league title. I remember that Neymar was suspended for that match. Barcelona is a great team, one of the greats."

Ironically Asensio could have joined Barcelona and his performances now have see him linked to PSG. He was asked about this and replied whilst laughing "Thank you, but no."

The 21-year-old also paid tribute to his manager Zinedine Zidane.

“I’m not saying this because he’s coaching me right now, but I always wanted to be like Zidane.

Asensio

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"What a player. I also enjoyed watching Michael Laudrup but Zidane was a true genius."

Real are the overwhelming favourites for La Liga following their dominant performance against Barcelona but they will be without Cristiano Ronaldo for the first five-games for the season after his suspension, soemthing Asensio doesn't agree with.

"Cristiano is great, one of the strongest men I’ve ever met.

"Cristiano's suspension is a punishment for him but also for the rest of us because we’ll lose the best player for a few weeks.