Isco to start against Real Betis: everything points to it
Despite not starting for Real Madrid in LaLiga since October, the stars seem to be aligning, or falling, for a return in Sevilla this weekend.
Everything appears to point to the same outcome: Isco Alarcón will start for Real Madrid this weekend in Sevilla as they face Real Betis in LaLiga.
Isco time for Betis
Los Blancos' infirmary is forcing the hand of Santiago Solari. The manager will travel to Villamarín without the injured Llorente, Kroos, Asensio, Mariano and Bale, while he'll also be missing Lucas Vázquez (suspended) and most likely Vinicius Jr who is suffering from the flu.
Given these circumstances, Isco is almost guaranteed to find himself in the starting line-up. That is unless Solari decides to bring young Fede Valverde ahead of the Málaga-born midfielder in the pecking order. If this were to happen, the seriousness of the manager-player breakdown could be considered, as stated by team captain Sergio Ramos, as very difficult to resolve.
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The absences in Real Madrid's midfield would indicate that the chosen quartet will be Casemiro-Modric-Ceballos-Isco. Ahead of them we could expect to see Vinicius (assuming he recovers in time) and Karim Benzema.
Isco has not started for Real Madrid in the league since 28 October 2018, when the side were humbled at the Camp Nou, Julen Lopetegui's last game in charge. Under Solari, he has only made the starting XI against Melilla in the Copa del Rey and against CSKA Moscow in the Champions League, two relatively inconsequential games. On Sunday at 20:45 (CET) at the Benito Villamarín, Isco could well make his return to the opening line-up. Everything seems to point to that.
