Ever since he stepped up for that penalty kick against Atletico in the CL final and slotted it in ever so calmly, my respect for him has been at an all time high even until today.
I will always remember that. How many players would have bottled it. Strolled to the spot spinning the ball on his finger.
Kudus to him. His smart positioning in front of Juve's goal made it possible for us to get to semis. As great as Ronaldo's penalty (and head pass) was, it was Lucas's smart play that won the tie for us. Great player for the team.
Can I just say how effing proud we should be of Asensio and Lucas? They even got knocked by Cristiano earlier in the season when we were under-performing and he alluded to the loss in quality in the summer. But they just kept their heads down and now both of them are on career highs. Lucas has 14 assists in all competitions and Asensio has 11 goals in all competitions, and they're only getting started...
I started this in the game thread and I hope this doesn't come off as hating. I can't possibly hate on this guy. He is the ultimate squad guy. He works hard, he runs, he defends, he has a great attitude, etc. But I almost feel like having him on the squad hurts us. He is a manager's player so due to the attributes listed above, managers will often field him and leave better players on the bench. Happened with James, Morata, Asensio, and now Mariano. He's a great guy but it's frustrating to keep leaving much better players on the bench to give this guy minutes. Sometimes it's good to have a player like him come in when we are winning just to run and defend. But needing a goal or a win, I can't justify to keep playing over studs that can make shit happen. Managers will always play him (Rafa, ZZ, and now Lopetegui) so I almost wish he was not on the squad.
It was the wrong sub, plus he had a poor game. It happens. He is still important. Lopetegui is still working out how to utilise this squad. I don't think it's indicative of a bigger issue though.
The guy was instrumental in beating PSG and Juventus last year. I'm not going to start shitting on him because he couldn't help us to getting more than a draw at San Mames.
We are questioning manager, not player. Lucas great squad player, but when you need goals and you have Mariano.. it's not up for discussion who should come on especially on 3rd sub.
Lucas is a good player but his substitution yesterday was abysmal. Coming in for Bale when we need a goal is very poor reading of the game and the players.
If every coach does it, there must be a reason for it. I also thought Mariano should come on last night and not Lucas, but he has earned his minutes over and over again. I can live with the occasional stinker.