Reports: Zidane confirms surprise inclusion in starting XI for Atletico Madrid

What’s the story?

With the pressure well and truly on, Marca reports that Zinedine Zidane will give Isco a start in the crunch Madrid derby set to kickoff late tomorrow night at the Santiago Bernabeu. This will end all speculation after Isco was dropped for the 2-1 defeat of Valencia a couple of days ago.

In case you didn’t know...

Isco has been Real Madrid’s most consisently brilliant performer this season and Zidane has come in for a lot of flak for not playing the little Spanish magician more regularly, especially if Twitter is any indication –

@Isco_addict IscoIsco, Isco, Isco, IscoIsco, Isco, IscoIsco, Isco, IscoNot settling for less

— Laila (@segrioramos) April 30, 2017

Benzema has bottled so many chances so far. StarterIsco puts in a MOTM performance whenever he starts. Benched

— Mrs. Alarcon (@nancycr7rma) April 29, 2017

Isco not starting again after everything he been doing for us, which means we're most likely to drop points today pic.twitter.com/Py7lRRN6RJ

— OMAR (@Omar__cr7_) April 29, 2017

The heart of the matter

Isco’s had a superb season – whenever he’s started – and with Gareth Bale’s injury, it means that he will definitely miss the Champions League semifinals tie. This leaves a spot free for Isco who has weighed in with 6 assists and 12 goals already this season.

In the games that he’s played – he’s run the show almost single-handedly and he’s done enough and more to warrant a starting spot. This does. however, mean that James Rodriguez will once again be benched as there is no plausible way for Zidane to accomadate both of them in his first choice starting XI.

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Author’s Take

Zidane’s main reason for keeping Isco on the sidelines for the big matches is that he massively compromises Real’s shape defensively. While many may dismiss this offhand, it was there for all to see in the second leg against Bayern. With Isco in the side along with Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Carlos Casemiro, Real Madrid’s midfield effectively became a diamond in a 4-4-2 formation with Isco and Casemiro at the tips of that diamond midfield.

Modric and Kroos are both naturally inclined to move infield, and hence left acres of space on either wing – Robben and Ribery were allowed to roam free.

While very few people give credit to Zidane for his organisational skills, his teams are brilliant defensively because they do it as a collective – even Cristiano Ronaldo tracks back these days and sticks to his flank for the most part – and mixing it up to bring Isco in is a dangerous game, especially against Atletico Madrid and Diego Simeone, who know the weaknesses of their opposition like few others. Zidane, then, will be banking on Isco and co. keeping their neighbours on the back foot and ensuring they do their bit offensively.