The crowd rose to its feet to applaud the local hero and the applause from all four sides of the stadium reached a crescendo as the 21-year-old left the field to a standing ovation. Isco had not enjoyed the best of games for Los Blancos against his former club – he fired his best chance over the crossbar – but he is an exciting talent, a likeable character and this was his home.
Turning 22 on Easter Monday, Isco has appeared at all levels for the Spanish national team, from the Under-16s up to La Roja, for whom he has played just twice, making his debut in a 3-1 friendly win over Uruguay in February 2013. Crucially, the attacking midfielder also featured in the European Under-21 Championship in Israel, finishing as the third highest scorer there for the eventual winners.
Isco’s talent has been carefully nurtured at international level, where he has long been regarded as one for the future. He will know if the future has arrived when Vicente del Bosque unveils his preliminary World Cup squad next month, but there are question marks over his inclusion because his opportunities at the Santiago Bernabeu have been limited – and he has not always taken them.
Isco made an immediate impact for Real Madrid at the start of this season, scoring the winner against Real Betis on his debut, as Carlo Ancelotti opted to persist with Jose Mourinho’s defensive-minded 4-2-3-1 approach. The Italian’s deployment of the double pivot gave Isco – an accurate passer of the ball and creator of chances on his day – freedom to operate in an attacking role between the midfield and the lone striker.
The midfielder lost his starting place after some below-par displays and with Ancelotti opting to move to a solid but more attacking 4-3-3 system with Angel Di Maria, rather than the man from Benalmadena, alongside Luka Modric and Xabi Alonso. Isco’s more impressive recent performances have been as part of a more fluid 4-4-2 formation, such as in the Copa del Rey final where he was one of Madrid’s best players, playing on the left of a four-man midfield and tracking back to defend and win the ball when required.
The return of Cristiano Ronaldo to the Madrid line-up for the Champions League semi-final against Bayern Munich could mean that Isco will be the one to miss out, since Di Maria will remain ahead of him in the pecking order if, as expected, Ancelotti looks to restore his favoured 4-3-3. From Isco’s point of view, the timing could not be worse – unless of course Del Bosque has already made up his mind – but his contribution of 11 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions for Madrid this season is respectable.
Fortunately for the young midfielder, the Spanish Coach is likely to take a broader view of the desired make-up of his squad for a tournament where the winners will need to play seven games in physically demanding climatic conditions. His experience of tournament football in Israel, his grounded approach and his patience could all yet pay dividends
