3 reasons why Real Madrid will defeat Liverpool on Tuesday
3. Marcelo would be an X-factor
Marcelo hasn’t featured on the pitch for Los Blancos since their home game against Getafe that they won 2-0 on February 9. However, he was back in the starting XI in their last match against Eibar and was wearing the captain’s armband. Marcelo is undeniably one of the best left-backs in the world. And, with him back in the squad, Real Madrid can be a little less concerned about the absentees in defense.
Marcelo’s performance in the last game was exquisite. He was delivering inch-perfect crosses and his ball receiving and first touches were of the quality that someone would include in an ‘amazing skills’ video. He also had an assist disallowed due to an offside call. No matter what position he plays at, it is expected of him to make up for Sergio Ramos’s absence owing to an injury he picked up during the international break.
Marcelo is capable defensively. But, in the last match, it was sort of a role reversal with Ferland Mendy who for a change was backing his defensive duties and staying more at the back. These are encouraging signs for Real Madrid who wouldn’t be going with a full-throttle defense, missing Dani Carvajal and of course, Ramos.
Zinedine Zidane played three at the back in the last match. He did the same against Atalanta too and it can be predicted that Los Blancos would enter with the same formation against Liverpool. Frenchman Raphael Varane was rested for the match against Eibar. He would therefore be fresh and prepared for the match against Liverpool. Nacho is expected to start at the back alongside him. The third player at the back would either be Mendy or Marcelo.
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Either way, both of them are expected to play transitionally as they did against Eibar. If Marcelo stays at the back he is bound to cause problems for Sadio Mane who would be expected to play on the left for the Reds. If he advances he is bound to once again show his class with his crossing and brilliant first-touches. He would indeed, be an X-factor on Tuesday.