Should Isco start for Real Madrid against Barcelona?

Real Madrid host Barcelona this Saturday and they desperately need to get the home win in order to keep the race for La Liga title alive. Los Blancos have played quite poorly for quite some time now and it’s time for them to make a statement and prove that they are the very same players who beat Barcelona over two legs in the Spanish Super Cup.

Much has been said about Isco’s role now that Madrid have struggled. Some analysts indicate that even though he’s performed well, his style of play doesn’t suit Madrid. Now that Bale and Marco Asensio have recovered from their injuries, Zidane could very well decide to give either one of those two players the chance to start in Isco’s place if he thinks it’s the right call. Should Isco start?

Isco is not to blame for Real Madrid’s struggles. Los Blancos are creating chances and both Benzema and Ronaldo have struggled when it’s time to convert those opportunities. It’s also true that Madrid need to play better football, but taking Isco out of the team will not help. Bale and Marco Asensio are great assets to have off the bench as they are extremely quick and could be devastating against a tired midfield and defensive line from Barcelona, so Zidane should probably keep them on the bench for this game and then switch to a more attacking-minded style of football for the last third of the match.

The Spanish midfielder would allow Madrid to control the tempo of the game and that will make things much easier for the defensive line, even though Ramos and Varane will have to be extremely careful with Messi if Barcelona are forced to play through a more counterattacking style.