Marcelo's absence for the Champions League quarter-final second leg is a big blow for Real Madrid. Carlo Ancelotti knows that the Brazilian is a key player going forward, particularly when his side will have to score to advance - despite the Italian's insistence that "you can go through with two draws".
Far from a bog-standard full-back, Marcelo can transform into a roving central midfielder, a winger or even a playmaker when circumstances require. For this reason, there is quite simply no like-for-like replacement. The four candidates to deputise are Fábio Coentrão,
Álvaro Arbeloa, Nacho and even Gareth Bale.
If Coentrão isn't suddenly struck down by one of his mysterious injuries, you would expect the Portuguese international to get the nod. However, there are other arguments to be made.
Given the magnitude and possible fieriness of the occasion, experienced heads could be called for, so Arbeloa would fit the bill in that respect. Meanwhile, picking Bale would be a more attacking option and would also make it possible to shoehorn Isco into the starting XI. Nacho is probably the least likely suspect, considering the sobering time he endured (albeit at centre-back) in the 4-0 thumping at the Calderón.
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