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Real Madrid will have to step up their performance in a big way on Saturday against FC Barcelona, because Cádiz and Shakhtar Donetsk embarrassed them.
The narrative around Real Madrid before their game against Cádiz has completely changed. Coming out of the international break, Real were still seen as the strongest team in La Liga and ready for some morale-boosting games against Cádiz and Shakhtar Donetsk before El Clásico.
Instead, the mood at the club has changed, as Los Blancos lost to Cádiz and Shakhtar, looking especially embarrassing in both early halves. The players and coach Zinedine Zidane have a lot to answer for in the El Clásico.
Isco started against Cádiz and was a substitute for the second half, but he was really the only player in the first 45 who was not terrible. The Andalusian midfielder worked hard to create something, anything for his team, winning four dribbles, according to WhoScored.com.
He is a player who could have a lot to say at El Clásico this Saturday, as he has often been a problem for Barcelona, especially in 2019-2020.
Isco has been a star of Real Madrid against Barcelona
In the December 0-0 clash at the Camp Nou, Isco, according to FBRef.com, had two shot-creating actions with three successful dribbles completed. Better yet, he had 125 yards of progressive passing distance and 204 yards of progressive dribbling distance, and those stats should remind fans of what Isco offers this attack. He keeps the team moving forward, and that’s what he, and no one else, really, tried to do against Cádiz.
The man was even better in the second Clásico of 2019-2020, which Real Madri won 2-0. Isco was unlucky not to have scored twice. He completed nearly 90 percent of his passes with 201 progressive yards and even put his body on the line with three blocks on defense.
Isco was not part of the disaster class against Shakhtar Donetsk, so he should be 100% fresh for Barcelona. Given what he has done to the team last season, it could be a huge advantage for Zinedine Zidane, who still seems to favor the player despite not finding him a permanent position. Plus, with Martin Odegaard injured, Isco becomes even more important creatively.
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I could see Isco starting in this game, because of what he has done in Classics recently and the fact that Real Madrid need the initiative that he brings. Isco won’t solve all of Real’s problems and he may not have a superstar performance, but it could be the reason Los Blancos have a rebound performance on Saturday.
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