Marcelo plays as Marcelo and you have to accept that

The days when a new signing is presented are greeted with all the happy tradition of a first communion.

When Juan Roman Riquelme arrived at Barcelona, Louis van Gaal brought him into a dark corner to tell him what he expected. Riquelme changed his expression and he realised that his talent was going to be on probation.That was because the coach was waiting for him to be Riquelme in one part of the field and be like Gennaro Gattuso in the other, an impossible task.

Footballers are what they are. Marcelo occupies the left hand side for Real Madrid, a position with great history. It was there that Jose Antonio Camacho played and where Roberto Carlos was the landlord, a devastating force in attack due to his power and spectacular free-kicks. His departure seemed to herald the start of a dark time for the left-back position.

However, Los Blancos quietly went about the acquisition of Marcelo, one of those men who plays with spirit of a player with flip flops on the beach, who just arrived at the club.The defender, if you want to limit him to that title, has exceeded all expectations. Not everything has been a high point for him though. Just remember the Champions League final in Lisbon when he was a substitute behind Fabio Coentrao.

Marcelo plays as Marcelo and you have to accept that. He defends by obligation but attacks for the devotion, passion and fun of it. His career is his best guarantee and you have to respect that role. In my life, there was someone who was a specialist in stealing at the supermarket but it didn't occur to anyone to ask him to take care of our little brother. People do what they do.

It is difficult to find another defender in the world who has such a big influence on the attacking football of his team. In one against ones, he is lethal. There have been many games which have been opened up and locks which have been picked thanks to the Brazilian. One of his preferred partners to plunder the left flank with was Cristiano Ronaldo, who must be looking back fondly from Turin on what it was like to receive a perfect pass or cross from his old teammate.

Due to his uniqueness, Marcelo is capable, in 45 minutes, of gifting goals to both Girona and Real Madrid. He had to be replaced over the weekend, such were his defensive struggles. Julen Lopetegui can change Marcelo in the match but he won't be able to change his game. That's just how Marcelo is.