Real Madrid: 5 questions surrounding the attack after 2019-2020 season
5. Will Isco be allowed a bigger role?
Quietly, Isco, in spite of the rampant criticism he faced at one point, was one of Real Madrid’s most impressive attacking players in 2020 before his role faded after La Liga’s restart. Isco and Vinicius Júnior both stepped up big-time when Eden Hazard was injured, but while we know Vini has a key role to play as one of world football’s next big stars, Isco’s status remains unclear.
Like Vini, Isco did not play against Manchester City in the second leg despite being a key performer in the first leg, scoring the team’s lone goal. Isco started once in the 11 games Real Madrid played after La Liga’s return. And in that lone start, he assisted both goals against Leganés. Both assists were delightful and were distinct reminders of Isco’s quality.
Whether it was Barcelona, Valencia, City, or Osasuna, Isco managed to shine in games in which his team needed him to play at a high level. Isco is versatile enough to play as an attacking midfielder, left winger, right floating forward, or floating forward in the diamond formation with he and Karim Benzema up top.
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Zinedine Zidane has chosen Isco over James Rodríguez, to nobody’s surprise. But now, Madridistas must wonder if Isco will get considerable playing time and an opportunity to reestablish himself as one of European football’s best attacking midfielders. The talent is certainly there, and, in 2019-2020, he showed plenty of it.