Real Madrid 1-0 Rayo Vallecano: 4 Talking Points from the game, LaLiga 2018-19

Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric presented his award to the Bernebau faithful before kick-off.
Ballon d'Or winner Luka Modric presented his award to the Bernebau faithful before kick-off.

#2 Isco only has himself to blame

Isco was booed off the pitch in a defeat to CSKA Moskva
Isco was booed off the pitch in a defeat to CSKA Moskva

Isco failed to start yet another league game for Real Madrid, having 0 starts since Solari took over from former Spain boss Julen Lopetegui. Isco's stock has taken a nosedive, considering he was thought to be one of the main men along with Bale & Co. in the quest to internally replace the statistical unicorn that is Cristiano Ronaldo.

Isco started the season well but has never looked himself since his appendicitis operation. He did score a couple of stunners against Melilla in a dead rubber fixture, and still knows how to get in dangerous positions, but he isn't taking his chances instinctually, dwelling on the ball for too long, allowing opponents to get back to defend the attacks and rob him off the ball.

Solari, therefore, has decided to start others over the enigmatic Spaniard, much to Isco's surprise. The man from Rosario has stated time and time again that Isco and he do not have a difficult relationship, and that every decision he makes is with the best interests of the club and team at heart.

Isco needs to show more in training, and be clinical when he gets his chances, as that's his only way to show the coach that he can become an indispensable player of this Real Madrid lineup.

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Edited by Kishan Prasad