Carvajal and Marcelo add 18 goals to Real Madrid in 2016/17
The two full backs are proving to be Zidane's secret weapons as the club chase LaLiga and Champions League titles this season, with three goals and 15 assists between them.
Ramos, Carvajal and Marcelo: the other attacking force
Sergio Ramos has been making all the headlines for his goal-scoring exploits but he's not the only defender contributing to Real Madrid's attacking tally. Both Dani Carvajal and Marcelo, Zidane's first choice left and right full-backs, have helped add 18 to the goals-for column this season.
Speed is a massive factor to the effectiveness of the Spaniard and Brazilian, with them being asked to overlap at any opportunity, while also having to track back when the ball is lost upfield. But their delivery from wide, and link-up play with those ahead of them - often a front three that they join alternately - adds an extra element of danger for the opposition. This means they are regularly there, or there abouts, when the final pass is made.
High on the assists list
Marcelo provided the assist for Cristiano's goal at the weekend which brought Madrid level with Betis and ultimately led to them picking up all three points. That was his eighth assist of the season, one more than Carvajal. Only Kroos (13), James (12), Lucas and Cristiano (9) have better assist records.
With the two players also adding goals of their own, three between them with the Brazilian having the edge, Zidane will be hoping to keep the two players fit and fresh for the key games in the run in for domestic and European glory.
| CARVAJAL | Zidane's secret weapons compared | MARCELO |
| 32 | GAMES PLAYED | 33 |
| 2,765’ | MINUTES | 2,645’ |
| 7 | ASSISTS | 8 |
| 1 | GOALS | 2 |
| 1,541 | PASSES | 1,535 |
| 887 | PASSES IN OPPOSITION HALF | 1,031 |
| 58 % | COMPLETED PASSES IN OPPOSITION HALF | 67 % |
| 42 | GOAL OPPORTUNITIES CREATED | 43 |
| 6 | SHOTS ON TARGET | 6 |
| 36 | DRIBBLES COMPLETED | 45 |
| 93 | CROSSES INTO OPPOSITION AREA | 158 |
| CARVAJAL | Zidane's secret weapons compared | MARCELO |
| 32 | GAMES PLAYED | 33 |
| 2,765’ | MINUTES | 2,645’ |
| 7 | ASSISTS | 8 |
| 1 | GOALS | 2 |
| 1,541 | PASSES | 1,535 |
| 887 | PASSES IN OPPOSITION HALF | 1,031 |
| 58 % | COMPLETED PASSES IN OPPOSITION HALF | 67 % |
| 42 | GOAL OPPORTUNITIES CREATED | 43 |
| 6 | SHOTS ON TARGET | 6 |
| 36 | DRIBBLES COMPLETED | 45 |
| 93 | CROSSES INTO OPPOSITION AREA | 158 |
