Spanish giants, Real Madrid suffered a very surprising defeat to Wolfsburg on Wednesday in the quarter finals of the UEFA League. The game ended 2-0 in favor of the hosts. Two goals in the first half separated both sides.
During the second half of the hard-fought encounter, Real Madrid Defender, Marcelo had a moment with Wolfsburg midfielder Max Arnold. It appeared he thrust his head towards Max before going to the ground clutching his face. Max claimed no wrong and walked up to the Brazilian player still on the ground, trying to get him to quit the ‘acting.’
Max Arnold received a booking for this but after the game Head Coach of Wolfsburg, Dieter Hecking called Marcelo an actor.
“Marcelo is an actor, that annoyed me, because he has no need,” Hecking told the German media.
The Coach went on to request the decision be rescinded but UEFA would only do that retrospectively if the match officials missed it.
During the match, Defender Ricardo Rodriguez opened the score-line with a goal from the spot, after a Wolfsburg player was fouled. Max Arnold scored the second goal before the break.
Marcelo has attracted harsh criticism for his action. Former Manager of England, Glenn Hoddle, described Marcelo’s action as “embarrassing” and “disgraceful.” Ex-Manchester United midfielder Roy Keane said the star’s dive was “shocking.” Marcelo was ridiculed on social media sites after the game. Some went as far as saying the player was just like his Manager, Zinedine “Zizou” Zidane, who was sent off in the 2006 World Cup final, not for acting but for a real head butt on Italian player while representing France.
After the game, Max Arnold described Wolfsburg’s victory as “breathtaking.” When quizzed on the incident with Marcelo, he only said: “I wish I had such beautiful hair too.”