Brazilian full-back Marcelo was the star of the show when Real Madrid defeated Chelsea 3-2 in the second game of the International Champions Cup on Saturday. Los Blancos boss Zinedine Zidane singled out the team captain in his post-match press conference after Marcelo scored two and provided an assist for the third goal at Michigan Stadium on Saturday.
Zidane heaped praised for a spectacular performance and stressed the importance of his captain leading by example.
“It is a joy to watch him (Marcelino) play”, said Zidane.
“He is showing himself to be a captain. He is spectacular and it is important for a captain to lead by example. We are happy with him and it is important for us to find our feet. We still have to keep working.”
The coach was without a number of first choice players who are working towards to fitness in America. Sergio Ramos, James Rodriguez who has been linked with a move to PSG, Isco, Luka Modric and Gareth Bale were all sidelined for Saturday’s meeting with Premier League club Chelsea.
Marcelo’s man of the match performance began when he opened the scoring with a deflected shot from the edge of the area. The second came seven minutes later when the Brazilian intercepted the ball near the halfway line, worked a one-two with Marco Asensio before bursting into the penalty area and firing beyond the reach of Chelsea goalkeeper, Asmir Begovic.
Youth teamer Mariano Diaz scored the third with a long-range effort into the top corner after receiving a pass from his captain in the 37th minute. The game was more even in the second half and Chelsea pulled two goals back in the final 10 minutes with efforts from Eden Hazard.
It was a return to winning ways after Real Madrid had lost the first game of the friendly tournament 3-1 against PSG and Zidane is pleased with the way his players are preparing for the Super Cup against Sevilla on Wednesday 9th August.
He said, “We played well and with intensity. I am happy with the game we played. We saw some new elements but we are still preparing”.
“The team are doing well and this game was important for us to see more, and we did see that. We have another match in order to prepare for the Super Cup and I think that will be preparation enough”.
