The epic victory of Real Madrid in Elche in the round of 16 of the Copa del Rey had a bittersweet taste for Marcelo. The white captain, relegated to substitution in League, has (or had) the shop window of the Cup to give his last blows before closing his stage at the white club when his contract ends in June.
Against Elche he put together his best performance in recent months but everything went to waste when he saw a direct red card for a controversial shot down over Tete Morente in the first part of extra time. The Brazilian told Figueroa Vázquez “you’re very bad” before heading to the locker room and for both actions he has been punished with three match bans. He will miss the quarterfinals against Athletic and, if Madrid pass, also the double semifinal confrontation.
Marcelo, yes, did not neglect his obligations as captain after being expelled. At the end of the match there was a gesture that was highly applauded by the Madrid fans. The Brazilian waited on the sideline to hug each and every one of his teammates, who pushed through a tie that turned very difficult with Marcelo’s expulsion and Verdú’s goal.
Already with the tracksuit on, he hugged everyone who passed by him: Mendy, Alaba, Isco, Casemiro, Camavinga, Valverde and even Lunin. “Fucking mother,” he can be heard saying behind the mask.
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