Marco Asensio insists he won't become the next Alvaro Morata by leaving Real Madrid for Chelsea

Real Madrid star Marco Asensio says he is ready to be patient for regular first-team opportunitiess, insisting his situation is nothing like that of former teammate Alvaro Morata, who left the club to join Chelsea.

Asensio, 21, ended the 2016-17 season as a regular in Zinedine Zidane's starting XI, starting in the Champions League final victory over Juventus with Gareth Bale missing through injury.

The Spain international has scored in his last two starts for Los Blancos against Las Palmas and Eibar but was dropped to the bench for Saturday's [18 November] derby against neighbours Atletico Madrid.

Real's struggles in front of goal this season were further highlighted in that drab draw at the Wanda Metropolitano with some questioning why Isco has not been given a more prominent role in attack to address their woes in the final third.

Real academy product Morata found himself in a position where he was unable to permanently force his way into the starting 11 ahead of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale, leaving to join Chelsea during the summer transfer window where he is now the club's first-choice centre forward.

Asensio however says that at 21, he knows his role will grow more important in time. "I've always said that what I am trying to do is work with the hope of being more and more important, and taking advantage of the minutes they give me," the Spaniard said in a press conference ahead of the Champions League tie against APOEL, Marca report.

"The case of Morata is different. I am 21 years old. I am young. I am getting starts. I will try to keep working to earn more minutes in the important matches."

Real's goalless draw with Atletico left them 10 points behind league leaders Barcelona after just 12 games of the campaign with Ronaldo's struggles in front of goal epitomising their current woes.

The Portugal international has scored just once in La Liga this term but has six goals in four games in the Champions League and Asensio believes there should be no cause for concern over his long-term form.

"I think he [Ronaldo] is looking well, as always, with a lot of enthusiasm. He is not having luck in the league in front of goal but Cristiano always comes back and returns the numbers that he is used to."