Marcelo Released from Election Duty, Ramos Fit to Take on Chelsea Tonight

Marcelo Released from Election Duty, Ramos Fit to Take on Chelsea Tonight

Marcelo has travelled with Real Madrid for their crunch clash with Chelsea after the Brazilian defender was released from election duty.

The 32-year-old had been set to miss out on the Champions League semi-final second leg in West London after being randomly called up to help monitor a local election in Madrid.

The full-back, who started the first leg last week, arrived at the polling station on Tuesday but was subsequently released and has been allowed to set off for London with his team-mates.

According to Spanish outlet La Sexta, Marcelo was assigned to the role of ‘first substitute’ at the polling station, and an elderly lady who was ‘second substitute’ volunteered to take the Brazilian’s role, thereby allowing him to leave.

Marcelo was granted Spanish citizenship in 2011 to circumvent rules regarding non-EU players, which is why he was selected to monitor the local election in the first place.

Madrid had seen a request to relieve Marcelo of electoral duties rejected by authorities, making the intervention of the elderly lady all the more crucial.

Marcelo was released at 8:30 local time, with Madrid due to leave the Spanish capital at 10:30 local time for London.

There had been concerns regarding any potential ‘bubble’ breaches with strict Covid-19 regulations in place, but Marcelo made the 15-minute journey from the polling station in the suburb of Alcobendas to the training ground, allowing him to re-join the bubble before setting off – in line with UEFA rules.

Zinedine Zidane’s squad have since left for London, with Madrid’s official Twitter account sharing a video of the team getting ready to travel to England.

Marcelo was seen departing the coach dressed in a Hugo Boss suit while wearing a face mask.

The 32-year-old replaced the injured Ferland Mendy for last week’s 1-1 draw in Madrid, although he struggled against Christian Pulisic and N’Golo Kante.

Marcelo has made just 17 appearances for Zidane’s side this season, with the Frenchman opting for Mendy over his trusted lieutenant for the most part of the game.

Meanwhile, Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is fit to face Chelsea in tonight’s Champions League semi-final second leg.

Ramos, 35, has not featured since picking up a calf injury in March.

Real boss Zinedine Zidane said: “We’ve got our leader and our captain with us. I won’t be taking any risks. Sergio is here with us. That means that he’s ready to play, that’s all it means.”

Los Blancos are chasing a 14th Champions League title and their first final appearance since 2018.

For Chelsea, defender Antonio Rudiger is in contention but will have to wear a protective mask.

The centre-back, 28, missed Saturday’s win over Fulham after picking up a late injury in the 1-1 draw in Madrid.

Midfielder Mateo Kovacic has been ruled out with a hamstring injury, but the Blues otherwise have a fully-fit squad as they look to reach their first Champions League final since 2012.

Boss Thomas Tuchel says his players must believe in themselves if they are to beat a Madrid side who are winless in their last four away games against English sides in the Champions League.

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