Marcelo the weak link? Real Madrid star is only player to feature in all Zidane’s La Liga defeats

Statistics counsel that Marcelo has grow to be a weak hyperlink within the Real Madrid squad, as he’s now the one participant to have featured in all of Zinedine Zidane’s La Liga defeats in his second spell on the membership.

Marcelo played the full 90 minutes of Madrid’s surprise 4-1 defeat away at Valencia on Sunday – a end result which leaves the reigning Spanish champions 4 factors adrift of leaders Real Sociedad having performed a sport much less.

The Blancos have been by far probably the most constant facet in La Liga final season, however their efficiency ranges have dipped considerably within the early phases of the brand new marketing campaign.

Warning indicators have been proven throughout a 1-0 defeat to Cadiz at Santiago Bernabeu final month, which was adopted by a loss to Shakhtar Donetsk within the Champions League on the similar venue, however Zidane’s males hit a brand new low level on the Mestalla.

Karim Benzema gave Madrid a twenty third minute lead within the contest, however a Carlos Soler penalty levelled the scoreline earlier than Raphael Varane put by his personal internet to offer Valencia a 2-1 half-time lead.

Soler scored two extra penalties within the second interval because the Blancos’ defence capitulated, with Marcelo placing in one other underwhelming show at left-back, gifting away one of many spot-kicks whereas additionally choosing up a yellow card.

The Brazilian has now appeared in all 9 of Zidane’s top-flight losses since his reappointment on the Bernabeu in March 2019, and Madrid have a way more beneficial file when he has been absent.

Zidane hasn’t seen his facet lose any of the 29 La Liga fixtures he has overseen with out Marcelo over the previous two years, along with his newest exhibiting prone to result in a rise in requires Ferland Mendy to take his spot within the workforce on a everlasting foundation.

The 2 males have shared duties in defence since Mendy’s arrival on the Bernabeu from Lyon final 12 months, however the Blancos head coach now has a choice to make to attempt to deal with an alarming variety of objectives being shipped on the again.

Madrid will now profit from a two-week break over the worldwide recess earlier than returning to Liga motion away at Villarreal on November 21, with their focus set to change again to the Champions League thereafter.

Mendy and Marcelo will each be again in rivalry to function at El Madrigal and at San Siro 4 days later, which is the place Zidane’s males will likely be on the lookout for an important three factors in opposition to Inter to spice up their probabilities of qualifying from Group B.