Morata and Mariano amplify the No.9 debate

Posted Monday, September 11, 2017 by Marca.com

Cristiano Ronaldo's punishment, Karim Benzema's injury and Gareth Bale's lack of form have failed to stop the ongoing debate on whether Real Madrid need a true No.9, particularly because of the way in which Alvaro Morata and Mariano have started at Chelsea and Lyon respectively.

The two consecutive draws in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu against Valencia and Levante have brought the matter into sharper focus.

An attacking crisis

Morata and Mariano amplify the No.9 debate

Borja Mayoral, another attacking option, needs more time to adapt and, for the moment, won't be considered by Zinedine Zidane.

Morata has scored three goals in four matches and only Romelu Lukaku is ahead of him in the Premier League standings, and with almost 80 minutes more on the pitch than the Spaniard.

He has quickly found a place in the hearts of the Stamford Bridge faithful, while those in the stands at the Bernabeu miss his contributions from last season; 19 goals.

Mariano hardly had any opportunities in Madrid (participated in 14 games scoring five goals), but he's hit the ground running in Ligue 1.

Only Falcao and Cavani (7) have scored more goals than him in the French championship this season.

His 4 goals in 5 games have even put him in the international spotlight.