‘I don’t think it’s an attitude problem’: Real Madrid full back Marcelo plays down problems in squad after Spanish side suffer humiliating Champions League defeat to CSKA Moscow
- Champions League holders Real Madrid were humbled 3-0 at home by CSKA
- Fans whistled during the game as they showed their displeasure at the result
- Brazilian defender Marcelo has rejected suggestions that attitude is a problem
Marcelo has rejected claims that there is an attitude problem within the Real Madrid camp.
The Champions League holders suffered a humiliating defeat at home to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday evening, losing 3-0 in what was their heaviest home defeat in any European competition.
It was the first time since 2008 that the Spanish giants had been beaten home and away by another side in the group stages, adding to the concern of what has already been a difficult season.
Marcelo has insisted that there is not an attitude problem in the Real Madrid playing camp
However, despite the performance, Marcelo insists that there is not a problem with motivation when it comes to Santiago Solari’s squad.
‘I don’t think it’s an attitude problem,’ he said after the game.
‘We never take to the pitch with the wrong attitude but perhaps some of our play may have been interpreted like that [against CSKA].
‘You always have to play with desire at Real Madrid. There’s a long time until the last 16, we must improve and change the image we’ve given of ourselves. We have to be motivated and flying high at the Bernabeu.’
The Brazilian started the Champions League defeat at the hands of CSKA Moscow
Supporters made their feelings clear on Wednesday evening, as whistles could be heard around the Bernabeu during the defeat.
They are not used to such poor performances at home in the competition — with their last home defeat in the group stages coming in 2009.
But their form this season has been a concern even under their new boss, with a 3-0 defeat away at Eibar a low watermark for their new boss, after he replaced Julen Lopetegui at the end of October.
Marcelo believes the fans have a right to show their emotions, and says it us up to the players to turn their fortunes around.
The Russian side, who finished bottom of Group G, completed the double over their opponents
‘When the fans whistle, it’s clear that you have to change something and the fans have every right to do it.
‘We’re hurt but we’re a team and we’re going to work so that it doesn’t happen again. We’re not happy because we can’t play like today and put on a show like that. We tried to give it a good go but the match didn’t go as we expected.
‘At Real Madrid you have to fight until the end. It was difficult to come back from 3-0 although we tried until the final whistle.’
