Isco Must Step Up for Real Madrid After Injuries to James Rodriguez, Gareth Bale

Real Madrid started the season with a 0-0 draw against newly promoted side Sporting Gijon, but their attacking intent and movement was evident even in that goalless fixture—they simply missed a clinical edge to take three points that day.

Since then, though, it has been a procession of goals as Real racked up 15 in their next three games, without conceding any in reply.

Boss Rafael Benitez has linked his offensive stars together in a way that gets the ball moving at speed and opens up defences—but now that killer instinct will be tested after injuries to two key components of the front line.

It means that Isco needs to raise his game further, both for Real's attack to continue to shine and to push his own claims for regular inclusion.

Rafa's Diamond Attack

Setting down his plans for the year in pre-season, Benitez quickly made it apparent that Gareth Bale would play a central role and everything else would revolve around him. Cristiano Ronaldo's goals from the left could be replicated by keeping him in place, while Karim Benzema was the clear choice as the main striker again.

LLUIS GENE/Getty Images

Jese, James Rodriguez and Isco have all started games this season too, but more important than the names has been the movement between all four.

Earlier in the season, we discussed how the positional rotation between Real's attacking quartet would solve the problems of goalscoring as teams struggle to keep track of the exchanging of spaces and passes, while at least three—and often all four—of the attacking line have a prolific shoot-on-sight policy inside the penalty box.

Two central midfielders are the supply line, and Luka Modric in particular is important at filling a role between midfield and attack, but it is the front four—whoever is selected—that ultimately carry the creating and scoring threat.

James vs. Isco

One of the key battles for starting roles looks like being James vs. Isco again; Isco got the nod on the opening day as the Colombian wasn't fully fit, but the Real No. 10 was back in place against Betis and put in a top-drawer performance, scoring twice and assisting another.

An injury to James, however, means Isco has again started the last two—but not everyone is convinced he is playing to the same level.

"

Isco super to watch but looks like Benitez, like Ancelotti & Del Bosque, not seeing how to get regular end product from such natural talent.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 15, 2015"

Whether coincidence, confidence or tactical design, Isco certainly hasn't been involved as much as James seems to demand to be when he takes the field.

The goalscoring disparity between the two is obvious, but Isco brings many other traits, including his ability to beat a man, great short-crossing delivery from the edge of the box and a selfless work rate.

"

Benítez: "I want that @isco_alarcon and @Benzema continue to link well with their teammates, with more goals." #RMUCL #RMCity

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 14, 2015"

"

Benítez: "@isco_alarcon is a great footballer. He has to work with intensity and dedication." #RMUCL #RMCity

— Real Madrid C.F. (@realmadriden) September 14, 2015"

He will certainly have more chances to impress and try to make himself one of the "undroppables," but at present, it feels very much as though he is the fifth-choice for four spots.

One thing that will work in his favour is Benitez prefers to alter the team with regularity, keeping competition for places open and fitness of players at an optimal level.

Isco knows, though, that more will be expected of him, especially with Real's front line on fire. Per AS, the Real starlet said:

"

I know that I have to improve in that area and score more goals, but I'm not worried about it either. I'm sure one will come in the next few games.

I'm really happy here. Maybe against Espanyol I wasn't very accurate because we got to a 4-0 lead very quickly but tonight [vs. Shakhtar] I felt really good. We're at Real Madrid and here nobody gives you anything for free. I work to be at 100 percent and I can't complain about the playing time I'm getting. I'm happy for the run the team is on, we're in good shape. The truth is I'm really pleased because I've played more than 100 games now.

"

Bale

As if James' injury wasn't bad enough for Real, Bale picked up another calf strain in the Champions League win over Shakhtar Donetsk in midweek.

"

First estimation of Bale's calf injury -at least 2 weeks. Could be back for the Atletico game on 4th October or to join Wales.

— Guillem Balague (@GuillemBalague) September 15, 2015"

"

Bale has "muscle injury in left calf" Madrid statement very short of detail. no word at all on how long he'll be out http://t.co/1SU5o26PrC

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) September 17, 2015"

Bale has been excellent in the past few matches for Real, scoring and creating with regularity, and it is his runs through the centre and down the channels that create the openings for the likes of Benzema and Ronaldo.

Alex Caparros/Getty Images

With the Welshman now sidelined for an indefinite period, Benitez will have a decision to make: leave Isco on the right side and try to fit him into the way of playing required, or ask Isco to play Bale's role, flying through the centre and trying to be the incisive, goal-driven version of a No. 10. It's the area Isco likes playing in most, but not necessarily the role.

As the Shakhtar game also showed, perhaps Isco's propensity to be more inclined with deft touches and delivery into dangerous areas—rather than pace, power and shooting—will lead the manager to prefer a different option in the centre.

Squad Goals

When Bale came off, it meant an early introduction for new signing Mateo Kovacic, giving the Croatian his fourth sub appearance for the club since signing and by far his longest involvement. 

Kovacic is a very different player overall to Bale, but there are some similarities to their style that could make it understandable if Benitez chose to slot him straight into the central attacking-midfield role.

Both are powerful runners, aggressive with their movements in searching to enter the final third and both have good acceleration. Kovacic isn't the fastest over a long distance, perhaps, but he is agile, tenacious and quick to make challenges—he'll aid Madrid's attempts to press a little higher, for sure.

Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images

Lucas Vazquez has already had a good impact off the bench too, Jese must be wishing he had had more impact on the opening day and Denis Cheryshev has yet to feature at all. There is a depth to Real's attack that hasn't been seen for several seasons, and Benitez will make use of it all.

Kovacic, the big signing this summer, is of course likely to get the nod one way or another. It might involve a tactical switch to play 4-3-3 and release both him and compatriot Luka Modric to get further forward, or Kovacic may simply go straight in for Bale.

Either way, the loss of half the starting quartet will mean more eyes on those who are filling the gaps—and more pressure on them to succeed and prove they can be equally effective.

Isco will most certainly be one of those against Granada in the next match.

Defence

Real's free-scoring attack deserves praise, but so does the defence: in the four competitive games this season, goalkeeper Keylor Navas and those in front of him have not yet been breached.

That back line also took a hit against Shakhtar, though, with Sergio Ramos and Raphael Varane both going off injured. Add in the injury sustained by right-back Danilo after the second Liga game and that's three-quarters of Benitez's first-choice defence potentially missing next time out.

"

RM injury update- Varane has a non-serious knock but Ramos will need a scan tomorrow on his injured shoulder. RM 3-0 SHK #RMUCL

— AS English (@English_AS) September 15, 2015"

"

Raphael Varane trained separately while Ramos, James, Danilo and Bale are still recovering from injuries.

— Real Madrid Info (@RMadridInfo) September 17, 2015"

Of course, it's not the end of the world when Pepe and the underrated Nacho can fill the voids, but overall, it still represents a serious depletion of Benitez's first XI when combined.

Granada aren't the most reliable opponents to give Real a serious game next time out; they were excellent in attack against Getafe two games ago but ridiculously error-strewn at the back against Villarreal last time out.

Not too many fans will need reminders that the last time these sides met at the Santiago Bernabeu, Real won 9-1. Ronaldo scored five that day, and he's sort of in form at the moment, too—with eight goals in his last two games.

All of that is simply to say, sooner or later, someone will score past Navas, and Real may even themselves find it difficult to keep up such dominant displays at both ends—which makes it all the more important for the attackers to retain a high level when the back line is struggling.

Ronaldo will do it always, Bale is thriving and James consistently offers a masterclass in offensive midfield play. Isco has the absolute natural talent to reach the same levels as any of them, but he must do so quickly, and more consistently, if he is to establish himself as one of Real's key starters.

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