Real Madrid: Marcelo’s time could be up as Santiago Solari places faith in Sergio Reguilon

Real Madrid: Marcelo’s time could be up as Santiago Solari places faith in Sergio Reguilon
When Real Madrid took to the pitch against Ajax at the Johan Cruyff Arena on Wednesday, one massive name was conspicuous in his absence from their starting eleven.Four-time Champions League winner Marcelo had to sit and watch the entire game from the bench, not even handed a consolation minute or two at the end. Excluding suspensions for the accumulation of yellow cards, it was the first time since March 2015 that the left-back had not started in a European knockout game for Real Madrid, and the decision was one based entirely on merit. Thats a huge deal.3

Marcelo is seeing his game time reduced at Real Madrid.

Bigger still is no one in Spain has questioned coach Santiago Solaris choice. He has already been proven right. The Argentinian deserves an immense amount of credit for Madrids revival from the brink this winter, and a significant part of that change is down to some big calls he has made across multiple lines on the pitch.One of the biggest calls of all is trusting a 22-year-old who was playing third tier football last season to start on the left side of the defence, ahead of a multiple European champion.The eye-catching nature of Vincius Jniors game means the teen Brazilian superseding Gareth Bale has naturally been given more attention, but Sergio Reguiln bumping Marcelo down the pecking order deserves attention of its own.Solari didnt rush to his decision: as recently as early January Marcelo was still being given the starting nod, but after a series of ropey games, a shockingly passive display in Madrids 2-0 home defeat to Real Sociedad on January sixth proved to be the final straw. Marcelos isnt at optimal physical condition and we tried to take advantage of that, opposition coach Imanol Alguacil admitted after the game, showing that the problem was now so bad it had become an obvious avenue of attack. So in came a player who in many ways is the anti-Marcelo. Reguilns game isnt one that will make you get off your seat: theres no tricky dribbling or cutting inside to curl a beautiful shot away. What he does do however is run. Whether thats running from one end of the pitch to the other to put in a well-whipped cross, or running across to cover for a teammate caught out of position at the other goal-mouth, the Spaniard is more than happy to oblige. If anything he seems to thrive when the tempo is high.The youngsters work-rate makes him the perfect counterpart for Vincius, freeing the Brazilian to focus his efforts in the creative third, and providing security behind him that Marcelo, for all of the veterans many talents, simply cant deliver. If Vincius has thrived in recent weeks, then that has to be understood in the context of the other new name supporting him on the left.3

Sergio Reguilon is taking his chance in big games.

That isnt to say that Reguiln is just a grafter. It takes more than energy alone to start for Real Madrid. Tactically, he looks sharp, knowing when to stick or when to push up, and synchronising well with the movements of Karim Benzema to provide the striker with an option on the overlap when appropriate. The left-backs anticipation has also helped Madrid to turn situations where they were under defensive pressure into dangerous counter-attacks something that caught city rivals Atltico out in the derby last weekend.Reguiln has helped to give Madrid a balance they sorely lacked in the first half of the campaign, and the proof is in his now consistent presence.Solari has started the defender in the last five rounds of La Liga, a period in which there were three games considered among those particularly crucial to Los Blancos season: Real Betis away, Sevilla at home, and the derby against Atleti. Madrid won all three, and are now second in the table, six points behind Bara.3

Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari.

More evidence the youngster has Solaris committed backing came in Amsterdam. When Marcelo took his seat on the sideline, any last grains of doubt over who the number one left-back would be in Madrids favoured competition dropped away. The Brazilian observed as his replacement provided important covering runs during the lengthy periods where Madrid struggled with the Ajax bombardment, and showed an aggressiveness in his anticipation that matched the home side unlike many of his teammates. Reguilns reputation was quietly enhanced by another competent showing on the biggest stage yet.

Sergio Reguiln vs Atletico Madrid 3 tackles won2 interceptions2 clearances10/13 duels won22 years of age. Incredible that he was playing in Spanish third tier 6 months ago. pic.twitter.com/V9dVI29Ocd— FootballTalentScout (@FTalentScout) February 9, 2019

Coach Solari has hailed his latest protg as proof that with talent and commitment, and by fighting hard, you can earn a spot in a squad like Real Madrids. With the amount of fight and quality that Reguiln is showing at the moment, Marcelo will find it hard to get back into the team.

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Real Madrid: Marcelo's time could be up as Santiago Solari places faith in Sergio Reguilon The Brazilian left-back is having to watch on from the bench as his 22-year-old understudy impresses By
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