5 things Real Madrid got wrong in 2017

#1 Giving Isco too much importance

Isco is a special talent, but sometimes gets a bit redundant

This might irk a lot of fans. But this is perhaps one of the reasons for Real Madrid’s downfall this season. It is funny how things change with time. Last season, this was the very reason why Real Madrid won a double—and now, this could lead to their demise.

When Zidane introduced the 4-3-1-2 last season with Isco in the middle behind Benzema and Cristiano, it made Madrid the best team in Europe. Gareth Bale was injured and Isco had to be utilized. As a result, this formation emerged and helped the club to and terrific season.

Isco was weaving magic from the middle as everything was flowing through him. It was beautiful to watch—almost as though Isco was a God creating worlds on the pitch. However, teams have identified his weaknesses and have used it against the club this term.

For one, the lack of width suffocates Real’s midfield to such an extent that they almost always have to push the ball wide and play the cross. The creative quality of midfielders like Luka Modric and Toni Kroos are nullified due to this.

This can be witnessed when Madrid play a 4-4-2 or 4-3-3 with two wide players. The club looks like an enriched side that doesn’t have many difficulties in creating chances. The sooner Zidane addresses this, the better.