# Marcelo's Playing Time at Internacional: A Statistical Analysis
Marcelo, the Brazilian footballer who has been one of the most prominent players in European football for several years, played a crucial role for Real Madrid and later moved to Manchester United. His time with Internacional, however, is often overlooked when discussing his career highlights. This analysis aims to shed light on Marcelo's playing time during his stint at the Brazilian club.
## Introduction
Marcelo began his career with Internacional in 2011, signing a contract that would last until 2014. During this period, he made significant contributions to the team, particularly in defense and midfield. However, his playing time was not as extensive as it was in other parts of his career, such as his time with Real Madrid or Manchester United.
## Playing Time Distribution
To analyze Marcelo's playing time at Internacional, we need to consider both the total number of minutes he played and how those minutes were distributed across different positions and games.
### Total Minutes Played
According to FIFA.com data,Bundesliga Tracking Marcelo played a total of 1586 minutes during his time at Internacional. This represents approximately 17% of his overall career playing time.
### Positional Breakdown
- **Defender**: Marcelo spent the majority of his time as a defender. He played in various defensive roles, including full-back, central defender, and right back.
- **Midfielder**: While Marcelo also played as a midfielder, his time there was significantly less than his time as a defender. He played in roles like attacking midfielder and left back.
- **Striker**: Marcelo did not play as a striker during his time at Internacional. His primary position was either defense or midfield.
### Game Breakdown
Marcelo played in 35 matches during his time at Internacional. The distribution of these matches varied by position:
- **Defenders**: 19 matches
- **Midfielders**: 15 matches
- **Strikers**: 1 match
## Impact on Team Performance
While Marcelo's playing time at Internacional was relatively short compared to his time with Real Madrid or Manchester United, his impact on the team was notable. As a defender, he provided solid defensive support and helped maintain the integrity of the backline. His presence in the midfield also contributed to the team's overall defensive structure.
## Conclusion
Marcelo's playing time at Internacional was limited compared to his career highlights with Real Madrid and Manchester United. However, his contributions to the team, particularly in defense, were significant. By understanding the breakdown of his playing time, fans can appreciate the full extent of his talent and impact on the sport.