Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane won't hear criticism of Marcelo.

The veteran was hammered for his performance in their Copa del Rey shock at home to Real Sociedad.

But Zidane says: "It hurts me because they're players that give their all out there. That won't change. I can tell you now that it hurts me and the players too. The important thing is to give our all on the pitch and our fans, who are the most important ones, saw that.

"We lost, we weren't happy with the performance and that we didn't get through, but the fans saw that we gave it our all. We'd been on a 21-game unbeaten run and we now have to get back to doing what we want to see: giving 100% out there and being strong as a group because things on the outside don't help.

"Marcelo gave his all out there the other night, as they all did. You ask the questions but we know that the problem comes when we lose a game. You talk about it being because of the line-up, that so-and-so wasn't ready... that won't change but the important thing is that my players give 100%, Marcelo did just that and the fans are aware of that. You on the outside are entitled to your opinions and we know how all of this works, particularly with Marcelo and the more experienced players.

"I see Marcelo as being in good shape. Everyone's entitled to their opinion about how he's doing. He's an important player, he's always shown that and will continue to do so until the end. I'll use him, just as I will all of the players. You explained the Isco and Modric and other cases well, but it's really hard to perform for 60 games, always play to the same level and always do well, always be the best player on the pitch and you go through spells during a season. We have to accept that and keep going because this is a long road and we're going to need all of them."