Isco’s future at Real remains in balance
Misfiring giants face 11th placed Valencia
Madrid – A cloud remains over struggling Real Madrid ahead of this weekend’s La Liga action, with the future of Spain midfielder Isco to the fore.
Real sit sixth on the table, behind the likes of Espanyol and Alaves, six points off league leaders Sevilla, while tomorrow’s opponents Valencia are 11th. Isco, who captained his country earlier this month, did not start last weekend’s 3-0 humbling at Eibar, and was left out of the squad completely for Tuesday’s Champions League victory at AS Roma.
The defeat to Eibar was Madrid’s fifth in 13 La Liga matches this season, just one fewer than they suffered in the whole of the last campaign.
Local media have reported that Isco has fallen out with new coach Santiago Solari, who has not named him in the starting line-up for any of his six matches in charge at Bernabeu.
It remains to be seen whether or not he is involved this weekend when Valencia visit the capital. “There are decisions you take in the moment for certain situations. We’re here to make those decisions and that’s that,” Solari said when quizzed on Isco’s absence in Rome.
“Decisions are almost always sporting, except in exceptional circumstances – which is not the case here.”
Valencia, where Isco started his career but failed to nail down a first-team spot before moving to Malaga, come to the Bernabeu on the back of Champions League elimination.
Barcelona, who lost top spot to Sevilla last weekend after drawing away at Atletico, host Villarreal on Sunday before the league leaders visit fourthplaced Alaves, who could go top themselves if they win and other results go their way. – Reuters