The return of Carlo Ancelotti to Real Madrid last summer meant good news for Isco, who suddenly got playing minutes again after a lost year under Zinedine Zidane. However, the midfielder was injured and has not been able to play since his return. So Isco is back to square one.
At his press conference in the run-up to Wednesday evening’s league game against Athletic Club, Ancelotti was asked about Isco’s situation. “It’s a difficult issue, both personally and technically,” the coach said. “Isco hasn’t had a chance to really show what he’s got as the team has put in a very good run without him.”
“I’m talking about Isco now, but the same goes for Nacho, Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga, Marcelo… The good performances of the team have touched these players,” Ancelotti continued. “They don’t get many minutes, but professionally the guys have always behaved very well. There is no confrontation with Isco and I am not angry with him, as has been claimed.’
In six of the last seven league games, Isco was sidelined for the entire game. He only came in briefly against Granada. “The guys who don’t play much now have accepted that the team is doing well. They’re waiting for the minutes that will come.’ Isco will not be there against Athletic Club on Wednesday, due to a corona infection. “That’s annoying, because tomorrow could have been a game for him,” Ancelotti said.
29-year-old Isco has an expiring contract with Real Madrid. Due to the lack of playing minutes, there is much speculation in Spain about a departure in January, but for the time being it does not seem that a club is really serious about the arrival of the 38-time international.
