Real Madrid Concerns over Marcelo too

Saturday's 3-0 loss to Barcelona is still hurting Real Madrid, but Zinedine Zidane's position at the club has not been up for discussion, even if this was his worst result since taking over almost two years ago.

Florentino Perez will have a discussion with the Frenchman when he returns from his holiday, but the success the coach has brought to the club during his time in the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu dugout means he is allowed an off-day or two, even in a game as important as a Clasico.

The mood amongst the Real Madrid directors right now is nothing like it was after the 4-0 defeat two years ago under Rafa Benitez, who was sacked shortly afterwards.

Zidane is as upset as any Real Madrid fan right now, but he knows the club will back him.

However, the same cannot be said of some players, with Karim Benzema currently under scrutiny.

While he wasn't the only reason for Saturday's Clasico loss, many believe that his poor finishing has a lot to do with the 14-point gap to Barcelona and some sections of the fanbase believe that he has already given his best years to Real Madrid, the club he joined in 2009.

Some even claim that he would already have been let go had it not been for his moment of magic against Atletico Madrid in last season's Champions League semi-final.

Benzema, though, is not the only player under the microscope, with Marcelo another one being criticised.

Some Real Madrid directors and coaches are concerned about his attitude in some matches, as well as the overall drop-off in his performances.

They hope that these holidays will permit Marcelo some time to recharge and to once again become the world's best left-back in 2018.