Marcelino: Real Madrid`s squad last season was better

CAIRO – 6 December 2017: Marcelino, coach of Valencia, has analyzed the trajectory of Real Madrid in the current 2017/2018 Spanish League season, which is in the fourth position, eight points behind the leader, Barcelona.

Speaking to Marca Radio, Marcelino was also surprised by the bad results that Zidane made this season with Real Madrid.

"I think that the squad of Real Madrid is lower than last season; it has lost potential over the past year," said Marcelino.

"It is difficult to assess which team has more possibilities, the ones that we have gotten ourselves in. Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and Sevilla have been there for years, and we can consider Barcelona a bit more of favorites than the rest," he told Radio Marca.

Valencia squandered the opportunity to profit from Barca's 2-2 draw at home to Celta Vigo on Saturday. They remain in second place, five points behind the Liga leaders, who have 36 after 14 games.

As for the options of Valencia, he added that "one thing is euphoria in the environment by ahighly competitive team and another long-term performance. We do not look beyond just the next game. Right now we are not in condition to fight for the championship; we would be if we add similar numbers to the end as we have done up to now, but it is extremely complicated. Sevilla last season finished the first half of the season as a second, and then they had difficulties getting into the Champions League. We must consider each game as a final."

Marcelino's side is only one point ahead of Atletico Madrid in third, and three above Real Madrid and Sevilla, who are fourth and fifth respectively.