Real Madrid's Brazilian defender Marcelo defended the performances of the club's out of form striker Karim Benzema this Wednesday.

Benzema, a 40-million-euro signing (55 million U.S. dollars) from Lyon in the summer of 2009 has so far failed to find the form he produced in the French club.

His languid style of play doesn't appear to fit in with the high-energy soccer preferred by coach Jose Mourinho and Benzema's recent comments that he is not the sort of player to chase the ball towards the corner flag has not been well received in Spain.

Benzema was given yet another chance to shine on Tuesday night when Madrid visited third tier side Murcia in the first leg of their Copa del Rey tie, but again he failed to score in what was a disappointing 0-0 draw.

His team-mate believes Benzema's failings are being over exaggerated.

"I haven't spoken to him and I haven't seen him, but I think people are going too far. He has got a lot of quality, but that is putting him under a pressure that doesn't exist," said Marcelo.

The defender used himself and striker Gonzalo Higuain as further examples of Real Madrid players who struggled on arriving at the club, before finally discovering form.

"It has happened to me and with 'Pipita' (Higuain): sometimes you have a good run of form and sometimes you have bad form. I am sure he will end up playing well and will help us a lot this season," he said.

In contrast to Benzema, Marcelo has been playing the best soccer of his Real Madrid career, something he puts down to the Mourinho's influence.

"I have always been motivated, but Mourinho has shown me to be more aggressive. Now I go for every ball like a madman and I also like the fact that the strikers come back to help us all defend," he said.