Real Madrid: 5 players who must rise to the occasion at Cadiz

LB Marcelo

Marcelo had an atrocious night against Getafe on Sunday. That Real Madrid did not concede a goal is an honor shared by Thibaut Courtois’ brilliance in goal, Eder Militao’s continued class in central defense, and Victor Chust’s remarkable mentality in his first La Liga start. Marcelo and his fullback partner Alvaro Odriozola had nothing to do with the clean sheet and were both horrible throughout the second half.

Starting Marcelo at left back is like gambling on a roulette wheel that you know is egregiously rigged. There is a small change you escape unscathed, but you are probably going to end up regretting the decision immediately.

Marcelo is a club legend, but he does not play like one when he is in a back four. He jogs back defensively, loses markers, and barely makes up for these misgivings in the attack.

As a playmaker or even an attacking left-sided midfielder, he is still great. Hopefully, Real Madrid can find a way to squeeze him into this role at Cadiz, because Marcelo on the left side of a back four could end up costing Los Merengues all three points this Wednesday. Marcelo already had one rough outing in this position against Cadiz, so history could repeat itself if he does not improve.