Two of Real Madrid‘s most recognizable players, fullback Marcelo and midfielder Isco, have struggled under the previous two managers to receive playing time. Now, with Zinedine Zidane back, the two have the chance to once again be regulars in the starting XI.
Despite having a day off on Tuesday, Marcelo and Isco were eager to impress their returning boss as they got out on the training ground at the Valadebebas and did some individual work. The two players have become nothing more than an afterthought in the Spanish capital in recent months, but that could change very soon.
It is truly remarkable to see two world-class players relegated to the bench and on several occasions, not in the lineup at all. Both Julen Lopetegui and Santiago Solari struggled to get the same production out of these two players that Zinedine Zidane did.
With the famous head-butting player turned coach now back in charge of the club he has called his “home”, president Florentino Perez did nothing exciting here and proved to everyone around the world why he is in the position he is.
Zizou has proven over two and a half season as a manager that he can guide a talented squad to continental and domestic glory.
In order to be as successful as we saw in his first tenure, he is going to need playmakers like Marcelo and Isco to step up to the plate and show their love and desire to remain at the club.
Isco must figure out where he can fit in in the starting lineup. With Vinícius Júnior likely out for the remainder of the season with an ankle injury, the number 22 could return to the free-roaming role that starts him on the left wing.
⤴ Zidane
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The ‘bandy-legged bandit’ flowed through the midfield and attacking third with relative ease as he distributed the ball to the forwards. One of the things Isco does best is finding those pockets of space to receive a pass before attacking defenders head-on with expert dribbling.
Marcelo and Isco ran as a duo on the left side of the formation as the two worked closely to move the ball up the pitch with pace. Marcelo’s driving runs down the left wing can open more pockets for Isco towards the middle of the field where he is best.
Zidane is a player whisperer and can get the best out of these two guys. Based on the reports I have seen coming out of the Ciudad de Real Madrid, both have been working hard to impress their manager and that can only lead to good things.
I don’t see Marcelo or Isco leaving now that Zizou is back at the helm. These guys will be crucial to the rebuild this summer.