Zidane's Isco substitution tactic overused and ineffective
Against Villarreal a common tactic was used once again as Real Madrid's creative number 22 was taken off when a goal was required. Should other options be considered?
There was a sense of déjè vu for Real Madrid supporters against Villarreal on Saturday as manager Zinedine Zidane turned to his in-game play book and followed the instruction to substitute Isco in an attempt to change the course of the match.
Ending the disco early, and often
The creative midfielder is one of Los Blancos most influential, able to slide in an inch-perfect pass or step away from a pressing defender to open up a numerical advantage, but with the score still goalless Zidane gave the order, and the number 22 was typed into the electronic board. Off he came as Lucas Vázquez took his place.
A goal was needed, there were twenty minutes remaining and it was clear that Gareth Bale had disappeared, Cristiano was becoming desperate and Toni Kroos appeared burnt out, but still his first change was to remove the boy from Malaga. This is becoming a regular occurence with Isco being the first substitute in nine of the 16 games in which he has been taken off early this season. He has only completed seven of the 23 games that he has started in all competitions.
An unsuccessful formula
Let's not confuse the issue here. It is not that the presence or absence of Isco, who didn't even get a look-in for December's Clásico at the Bernabéu, is the biggest problem currently faced at Madrid, but his constant removal seems to be the easy option for Zidane. It does, however, add support to the belief that the Frenchman makes his substitution decisions ahead of time, with bigger-name players getting preference.
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Statistically, hooking Isco ahead of time doesn't appear to be having the desired effect. Of those 16 times when this has happened only on three occasions has the team improved their position in the game: Borussia Dortmund (home tie), Al Jazira and Málaga while in another three the scoreline turned for the worse (Betis, Celta and Villarreal). The other 10 matches (Manchester United, Deportivo, Valencia, Eibar, Athletic, Apoel, Dortmund (away), and both ties against Tottenham and Gremio) there was no change.
Of course, in any given match there are a multitude of factors that influence the outcome but with this particular change only benefitting the team 18.75% of the time, as well as eyes on the game suggesting other tactics would be better employed, maybe Zidane would be wise to use ones that include the creativity of Isco.