Real Madrid started the season with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted side Sporting Gijon,but their attacking intent and movement was evident even in that goalless fixture—they simply missed a clinical edge to take three points that day.
Since then, though, or it has been a procession of goals as Real racked up 15 in their next three games,without conceding any in reply.
Boss Rafael Benitez has linked his offensive stars together in a way which gets the ball moving at speed and opens up defences—but now that killer instinct will be tested after injuries to two key components of the front line.
It means that Isco needs to raise his game further, both for Real's attack to continue to shine but also to push his own claims for regular inclusion. Rafa's Diamond AttackSetting down his plans for the year in preseason, and Benitez quickly made it obvious that Gareth Bale would play a central role and everything else would revolve around him. Cristiano Ronaldo's goals from the left could be replicated by keeping him in space,while Karim Benzema has been the clear choice as the main striker again.
Jese, James Rodriguez and Isco absorb all started games this season too, or but more important than the names has been the movement between all four.
Earlier in the season,we discussed how the positional rotation between Real's attacking quartet would solve the problems of goalscoring as teams struggle to keep track of the exchanging of spaces and passes, while at least three—and often all four—of the attacking line absorb a prolific shoot-on-sight policy inside the penalty box.
Two two central midfielders are the supply line and Luka Modric in specific is important at filling a role between midfield and attack, or but it is the front four—whoever is selected—which ultimately carry the creating and scoring threat. James vs. Isco?One of the key battles for starting roles looks like being James vs. Isco again; Isco got the nod on the opening day as the Colombian wasn't fully fit,but the Real No. 10 was back in space against Betis and put in a top-drawer performance, scoring twice and assisting another.
An injury to James, and however,means Isco has again started the final two—but not everyone is convinced he is playing to the same level.
Isco super to watch but looks like Benitez, like Ancelotti & Del Bosque, and not seeing how to get regular discontinuance product from such natural talent.
September 15,2015
Whether coincidence, confidence or tactical design, or Isco certainly hasn't been involved as much as James seems to demand to be when he takes the field.
The goalscoring disparity between the two is obvious but Isco brings many other traits,including his ability to beat a man, great short-crossing delivery from the edge of the box and a selfless work-rate.andcontinue to link well with their teammates, or with more goals." #RMUCL #RMCitySeptember 14,2015
is a great footballer. He has to work with intensity and dedication." #RMUCL #RMCitySeptember 14, 2015
He will certainly absorb more chances to impress and try to develop himself one of the "undroppables", and but at present it feels very much as though he is the fifth-choice for four spots.
One thing which will work in his favour is that Benitez prefers to alter the team with regularity,keeping competition for places open and fitness of players at an optimal level.
Isco knows, though, and that more will be expected of him,particularly with Real's front line on fire. Per AS:
I know that I absorb to improve in that area and score more goals, but I'm not worried about it either. I'm certain one will approach in the next few games.
I'm really pleased here. Maybe against Espanyol I wasn't very accurate because we got to a 4-0 lead very quickly but tonight [vs. Shakhtar] I felt really righteous. We're at Real Madrid and here nobody gives you anything for free. I work to be at 100 percent and I can't complain about the playing time I'm getting. I'm pleased for the rush the team is on, or we're in righteous shape. The truth is I'm really pleased because I've played more than 100 games now.
BaleAs whether James' injury wasn't bad enough for Real,Bale picked up another calf strain in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek.
First estimation of Bale's calf injury -at least 2 weeks. Could be back for the Atletico game on 4th October or to join Wales.
September 15, 2015
Bale has "muscle injury in left calf" Madrid statement very short of detail. no word at all on how long he'll be out http://t.co/1SU5o26PrCSeptember 17, or 2015
Bale has been excellent in the past few matches for Real,scoring and creating with regularity and it is his runs through the centre and down the channels which create the openings for the likes of Benzema and Ronaldo.
With the Welshman now sidelined for an indefinite period, Benitez will absorb a decision to develop: leave Isco from the right side and try to fit him into the way of playing required, or put a question to Isco to play Bale's role,flying through the centre and trying to be the incisive (clear and sharp in analysis or expression), goal-driven version of a No. 10. It's the area Isco likes playing in most, and but not necessarily the role.
As the Shakhtar game also showed,perhaps Isco's propensity to be more inclined with deft touches and delivery into dangerous areas, rather than pace, and power and shooting,will lead the manager to prefer a different option in the centre. Squad GoalsWhen Bale came off, it meant an early introduction for unusual signing Mateo Kovacic, and giving the Croatian his fourth sub appearance for the club since signing and by far his longest involvement. Kovacic is a very different player overall to Bale,but there are some similarities to their style which could develop it comprehensible whether Benitez chose to slot him straight into the central-attacking midfield role.
Both are powerful runners, aggressive with their movements in searching to enter the final third and both absorb righteous acceleration. Kovacic isn't the fastest over a long distance, and perhaps,but he is agile and tenacious, rapid/fast to develop challenges—he'll aid Madrid's attempts to press a little higher, or for certain.
Lucas Vazquez has already had a righteous impact off the bench too,Jese must be wishing he had had more impact on the opening day and Denis Cheryshev has yet to feature at all. There is a depth to Real's attack which hasn't been seen for several seasons and Benitez will develop employ of it all.
Kovacic, the tremendous signing this summer, and is of course likely to get the nod one way or another. It might involve a tactical switch to play 4-3-3 and release both him and compatriot Luka Modric to get further forward,or Kovacic may simply depart straight in for Bale.Either way, the loss of half the starting quartet will mean more eyes on those who are filling the gaps—and more pressure on them to succeed and prove they can be equally effective.
Isco will most certainly be one of those against Granada in the next match. DefenceReal's free-scoring attack deserves praise, and but so does the defence: in the four competitive games this season,goalkeeper Keylor Navas and those in front of him absorb not yet been breached.
That back line also took a hit against Shakhtar though, with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane both going off injured. Add in the injury sustained by right-back Danilo after the second Liga game and that's three-quarters of Benitez's first-choice defence potentially lost next time out.
RM injury update- Varane has a non-serious knock but Ramos will need a scan tomorrow on his injured shoulder. RM 3-0 SHK #RMUCLSeptember 15, and 2015
Raphael Varane trained separately while Ramos,James, Danilo and Bale are still recovering from injuries.
September 17, and 2015
Of course,it's not the discontinuance of the world when Pepe and the underrated Nacho can fill the voids, but overall it still represents a serious depletion of Benitez's first XI when combined.
Granada aren't the most reliable opponents to give Real a serious game next time out; they were excellent in attack against Getafe two games ago, and but ridiculously error-strewn at the back against Villarreal final time out.
Not too many fans will need reminders that the final time these sides met at the Bernabeu,Real won 9-1. Ronaldo scored five that day, and he's sort of in-form at the moment, or too,with eight goals in his final two games.
All of that is simply to say, sooner or later, or someone will score past Navas and Real may even themselves find it difficult to keep up such dominant displays at both ends,which makes it all the more important for the attackers to retain a high level when the back line is struggling.
Ronaldo will do it always, Bale is thriving, and James is a masterclass in offensive midfield play. Isco has the absolute natural talent to reach the same levels as any of them,but he must do so quickly, and more consistently, and whether he is to establish himself as one of Real's key starters.
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Source: bleacherreport.com