ICC 2016: Real Madrid 3-2 Chelsea - 4 takeaways

Reigning European champions Real Madrid bounced back from a sloppy preseason opener against PSG with an improved show in their second game as they beat Chelsea 3-2 in Michigan.

Skipper Marcelo bagged an amazing brace in quick succession whereas Mariano struck a 25-yard pile driver to give Los Blancos a commanding 3-0 lead at the break, but a rejuvenated Eden Hazard netted a double of his own in the dying embers, eclipsing an abject performance by Antonio Conte’s men.

Here are some of the things we learnt from the teeming Ann Arbor.

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#1 Marcelo has taken up the mantle in some style

With usual suspects Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema not featuring, Real Madrid’s captain for the pre-season tour, Marcelo, seems to have truly stepped up in his added responsibility. The Brazilian full-back netted twice in the first half, taking his pre-season tally to three in just 2 games, for another dazzling show in the white of Madrid.

Marcelo triggered the floodgates with a wonderful solo goal albeit aided by a deflection from Oscar, and accentuated his penalty box instincts by pouncing on a slack back pass from Ola Aina to double Real’s lead. He then laid a defense splitting pass to Mariano for a third, adding more gloss to a really stunning individual performance.

An unsung hero in the shroud of Ronaldo and Bale, Marcelo proved how dangerous he can be while stepping into the breach.