Spanish papers hammer Real Madrid man after shock defeat

Real Madrid defender Marcelo has been hammered for his performance in the shock 3-2 defeat to Shakhtar Donestk on Wednesday night.

The LaLiga champions were humbled in the Champions League opener in the Bernabeu.

Zinedine Zidane took responsibility for the game in which Real found themselves 3-0 down.

“I did not see the team as I wanted and when you do not see the team as you wanted it is your fault,” Zidane said.

“It’s a bad game, a bad night. I’m the coach and it’s up to me to find the solution.

“We deserve the criticism, all of us, and me first. Luckily we had a reaction in the second half because they don’t deserve that, they are champions and it bothers me.

“I am responsible and I have to look for solutions because that cannot happen.”

The papers were not quite as kind though and Madrid-based Marca took aim at left-back Marcelo.

They ranked the Brazilian 15th of the 15 individuals involved in the shocking loss in which Real dominated with 59% possession.

Just days after losing 1-0 Cadiz, Real put in another drab showing against a Shakhtar side, who were missing 13 first-team squad players following positive Covid-19 tests.

Marca said that Marcelo, 32, can no longer be relied on to play at Champions League level and should only play in domestic games.

Further analysis claimed that it is a “pity”, but the Brazilian is now “light years away” from the level he once was.

Reguillon talk gathers pace

Marcelo’s display in the Bernabeu adds further fuel to the fire that Real could bring Sergio Reguillon back to the club.

Just a year after selling him to Tottenham, Real have this week been tipped to re-sign the player, who has impressed for Spurs.

The Spanish left-back made his second Premier League appearance in the 3-3 draw with West Ham and laid on Harry Kane’s second goal.

He already looks like being a favourite of Jose Mourinho, but Spurs may not be able to do anything about losing him next summer.

Tottenham secured the signing of Reguilon in mid-September. But they had to agree to a buyback clause from Madrid in the £25m deal.

Manchester United removed themselves from the running with the news that Real wanted a repurchase option on the 23-year-old. Instead they signed Alex Telles.

AS via Sport Witness said this week that Real “have a problem with Marcelo” and suggested he could find himself behind Ferland Mendy.

And Real could exercise the buyback option on Reguillon this summer. The clause in the player’s contract means Real can buy the player back for an increased fee, either in the summer of 2021 or 2022. Los Blancos are also able to match an offer Spurs accept for the player in that time.