i just dont think you any manager can really afford to have a problem with attacking full backs seeing as there is very if any left backs that defend properly.. or that outweighs the benfits an attacking fullback offers these days

Yes and no Hala...  I think there's a minimum for a fullback both defensively and offensively.  That's my big criticism of Marcelo:  He's wonderful on the attack but he's completely absent on defense.  I don't even mention it anymore because he's NEVER there on defense anymore.

At least get in the way ffs so you slow down the guys.  As it stands, the left side of our defense gets blitzed without even the trace of resistance and our CBs are pretty much forced to cover 3 positions since Casemiro is out too.

The best we can hope for is that we can control the games like we did yesterday until Casemiro comes back.  It's our only chance at consistent success imo... but it won't happen.  Atleti, for example, is just going to rape us.

Not even the complete package... I'd take Jordi Alba level of defending from Marcelo

I don't think he is terrible at defending, I think he is just competent.

For Milan I would take Filipe Luis in my team over Brazil but for Brazil I would pick Marcelo because his partnership with Neymar is great.

Mediocre winger IMO

But I would choose a LB version of Carvajal over Marcelo any day. That balance between defense and attack is extremely rare, and if you could get hold of one with those qualities, you better not let them go.

If you have time, I would like you to watch the Betis goal and see the difference between Carvajal's reflexes and Marcelo's.

When the ball was intercepted by Betis, Carvajal immediately ran back while Marcelo was basically jogging.


Marcelo is great offensively, probably the best in the world, but his defensive flaws will always cast a shadow over him and will refrain him from being complete.

You know why i''m so almost illogically annoyed with Marcelo's defending? He doesn't give a crap... he literally could care less. If he was just plain bad at it, it would be one thing. But he can't be bothered. I've seen him defend well. He did it for the first few months last season. Once you show something... you can't say it never happened.

He can defend. Decently enough at least.

But yeah, he does not put in too much effort. In a smaller team with less dominance, he'd really be exposed. Luckily, he's in Madrid with some good CBs and a world class midfield to cover for him.

In his defense, he has played a lot on Cristiano Ronaldo's flank, which means he doesn't exactly get top coverage and there are usually wide open spaces left for opposing wingers to expose.

Top "complete" LBs nowadays are Alaba and maybe Alex Sandro. I'd give a shout to Evra as well, even if his legs are leaving him.

Hapless_Hans wrote:Mediocre winger IMO

Holy shit that avatar

Myesyats is Linetty I think.

Can't people keep the same username around here? It's hard for us casual posters to keep track.

Also I think the criticism for Marcelo's defending is over blown a bit.

Clearly he's not the best defensively, but the way people talk about him as if he is the all time worst defender.

I see double the mental/positional lapses from Pepe and Ramos than I do Marcelo. And when you compare him defensively to the other LBs of this era- who is he worse than? Alaba, and I can't think of anyone else

Alex Sandro

Filipe Luis.

halamadrid2 wrote:Filipe Luis isnt even good. Put good wingers on him and he is toast

If Filipe Luis is toast against good wingers then Marcelo is roasted marshmallow.

Felipe>>>Alaba>>>Marcelo

rincon wrote:Myesyats is Linetty I think.

Nah myesyats is myesyats

Insane footballer who is going down as one of the best ever in his position