'The world’s best left-back' showed what he can do with his right foot by blasting a late and spectacular second goal for the defending champions
Real Madrid’s 1-0 lead over Schalke was looking a little fragile until Marcelo struck a superb goal to put the tie beyond the Germans on Wednesday.
The man who is rated by many - Roberto Carlos among them - as the world’s best left-back sped past the halfway line and with the second of two left-foot touches he passed to Cristiano Ronaldo. After a twist and a turn by Ronaldo the ball was back at Marcelo’s feet.
The Brazilian had been a forceful presence throughout the game - he had more touches than any of his team-mates - but he had not had a shot at goal, and after a deft touch with his left foot the ball was on his supposedly weaker right.
It didn't matter - Marcelo thumped it past teenage goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther from the edge of the penalty area and it hit the target just below the junction of crossbar and post.
The was game over and made it 10 straight wins in the competition for Real. Marcelo ran to hug Carlo Ancelotti on the touchline. “We are not used to seeing Marcelo score with his right foot, so for this I was really surprised,” said the coach.
Perhaps we should not have been surprised by the goal: Marcelo’s last three in the Champions League have all been scored from outside the penalty area.
