How Does Isco Fit into Real Madrid's New Formation?

Life was looking pretty good for Isco after his summer switch from Malaga to Real Madrid.

He was the hero on the opening weekend of the season, heading home late to seal all three points for Carlo Ancelotti's side against Real Betis at the Bernabeu.

A brace against Athletic Bilbao followed two weeks later, then he scored on his Champions League debut for the club against Galatsasaray—following that goal up with his fifth of the season against Getafe five days later.

All in all he began Madrid's first nine league matches.

Then came the Clasico, the big one, and the 21-year-old found himself out in the cold.

And since that defeat at Camp Nou, he's featured in just one of Los Blancos' goal-filled games—taking part in 70 minutes of the 7-3 win over Sevilla.

It's no coincidence that Isco's fall from the team coincides with the return of someone who cost almost three times as much as him in the transfer window: Gareth Bale.

Rather than a direct symptom of the Welshman's return to fitness, though, he's become unfavoured due to Ancelotti's switch in formation, via Marca:

"

From starter status to reserve, Isco, who started the season stockpiling goals, praise, applause and headlines, has become the main casualty of Ancelotti's formation change and his definitive choice of the 4-3-3.

"

With Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Karim Benzema forming such a potent front three, the Italian coach has leaned toward a more defensive midfield three.

Sami Khedira and Xabi Alonso have formed the crooks of that trio, with Luka Modric's deeper lying abilities have been preferred to Isco—Asier Illarramendi has been used from the bench.

When Madrid were lining up with a feeling of 4-2-3-1, Isco was perfect. Now his role has become more complicated.

Writing in Marca, Miguel Serrano suggest Isco had simply run out of steam.

His summer was cut short due to the European Under-21 Championships, and Serrano suggests that, while he may be struggling because of that at the moment, that was the reason he started the season so well.

It's a point Ancelotti also referred to in his press conference on Friday ahead of Madrid's match with Real Sociedad.

It's already opened the door to rumours around the players future, although they seem premature.

Talksport have reported, citing reports in Spain, that the youngster could become the first casualty of Ancelotti's tenure.

That seems far-fetched on two levels, though.

For one Mesut Ozil was arguably the first casualty, while considering his age and the outlay it is extremely unlikely Madrid will let the 2012 Golden Boy winner go anywhere in the near future.

Conspiracy Theory

One for the conspiracy theorists out there who want something else to ponder on Isco's exclusion from the Madrid lineup.

He has featured in just one of the club's last four matches, after starting every La Liga game until that point.

The last game he played before this run?

Malaga, when he got a dressing down from Sergio Ramos for being overly friendly with his ex-teammates.

Both players have played the row down, though, citing banter as the reason, but Isco's been out in the cold since.

Coincidence? Probably.

Follow @samuelmarsden