The keys to Real Madrid’s return to form: Isco, Kroos, Ronaldo...
Zidane’s side crushed Betis on Saturday night to snap their four-game drawing streak. The Frenchman will be delighted with his side's performance but five players in particular stood out.
Real Madrid thumped six past Betis on Saturday night, finally breaking their four-game drawing streak. Zidane will be delighted with his side’s performance but five names in particular stood out.
Isco
If Isco played like he did at the Villamarín on Saturday night every game, Zidane would have to find someone to drop from the starting XI. Granted it’s only one game to go on, but he was spectacular. Two goals (the second was magnificent), good judgment, creative and hard-working, running almost 12km during the course of the ninety minutes. Isco is back, only now he has to make sure he doesn’t disappear again.
Marcelo
It’s hard to explain how a left-back can influence a team’s rhythm so much. But Marcelo is unique. He was impressive on his return to the side – who hadn’t won a single game in his absence – and his enthusiasm and effort galvanised his teammates. He even got on the score sheet, which doesn’t happen that often.
Toni Kroos
The German reminded us all of why the club decided to hand him a bumper new contract this week. Real Madrid are a team that are prone to lose the plot with alarming ease but he held things together and controlled the game masterfully from the middle of the park. Both the first and second goals were creations of his. Just another day in the life of Europe’s best assist provider.
Mateo Kovacic
The young Croatian showed that creative and daring spark that suits him so well but that is so often lacking in his play. This summer he dismissed reports of a move away from the club, confident that he would gain Zidane’s trust if he stayed. He was the lungs of the team, distributing the ball ably to both left and right and set up Isco for the fourth. Basically everything we’d expect from the ‘new Modric.’
Cristiano Ronaldo
He came into the game having improved in recent weeks but we all sensed that what he really needed was a goal. What we’ve come to expect from Cristiano week in week out isn’t to bamboozle defenders; it’s scoring goals. His goals are what he measures himself by, the statistics that indicate whether he’s played well or not. Well, he finally got his goal against Betis and could have had more.