Real Madrid 5 Ups and Downs after 3-2 win over Real Betis

Up: Isco, Luka Modric changed the game for Real Madrid

Martin Odegaard had a big performance against Real Sociedad on Matchday 2, showing Real Madrid fans up close what he is capable of doing for Los Blancos in 2020-2021 after dominating La Liga in 2019-2020 for La Real.

But on Matchday 3, it was Isco’s turn to reminds fans why he is so good. Amidst all the praise for James Rodriguez for his unsurprisingly wonderful work with Everton, I think some fans have pitted that against Isco and have forgotten – maybe purposefully so –that he was one of the team’s best players in February and March of this year. He even had two assists in the final game of the 2019-2020 season at Leganes!

Isco didn’t score or assist against Real Betis, but he bossed the midfield with his clever movement and progressive passing. Real Madrid needed someone experienced on the pitch who wouldn’t mess around and could carry the ball up the pitch quickly. Isco did just that, and Los Blancos look so much better as a team when he’s in form.

As for Luka Modric, what more can be said? He was one of the team’s best players down the stretch of the title-winning 2019-2020 campaign, he was masterful again at the Anoeta Stadium, and he came in for Toni Kroos and added quality and composure to the Real Madrid midfield against Real Betis. Modric, at 35, remains the class of La Liga in his role.