Madrid sanction Isco on Solari's request
Santiago Solari asked the club to hand Isco an internal sanction for his actions before the Ajax game last Tuesday, according to Spanish TV sources.
Real Madrid coach Santiago Solari asked the club to take disciplinary action against Isco for his conduct before last Tuesday’s Champions League tie against Ajax, according to a report by Spanish TV channel, La Sexta.
On Tuesday, Isco chose not to get on the team bus after he had learned that he had not been included in the squad for the Ajax game and proceeded to head to the Santiago Bernabéu from Madrid’s training ground in his own car.
The out-of-favour midfielder also skipped Solari’s team talk before the game. And after the Argentine coach informed the club of the player’s absence, they have decided to hand him an internal sanction.
On Thursday morning, in the first training session following Tuesday’s humiliating Champions League elimination by Ajax, Isco apologised to the squad after receiving a warning from captain Sergio Ramos.
Solari cites Isco's fitness
The Spanish midfielder has also been left out of the squad for Sunday’s LaLiga clash with Valladolid. In the press conference ahead of the game, Solari cited Isco's fitness as the reason why he has been out of favour this season but refused to speak much about the matter surrounding his conduct before Tuesday’s game against Ajax.
"Isco apologized for not getting on the bus on the day of Ajax,” said the Madrid coach. “We handle disciplinary matters internally… To play, you have to be in the right physical shape first and then you have to maintain it."