It’s inevitable at a club that has Cristiano Ronaldo, James Rodriguez and Karim Benzema, among others, that some players fall by the wayside and don’t get the credit they deserve. That was the case in Real Madrid’s win over Barcelona, when excellent performances from Dani Carvajal and Isco went largely unrecognized.
Carvajal’s game didn’t start that well in fairness, when the right-back allowed Neymar to cut inside and get a shot on goal as Barca opened the scoring. But the Spain international isn’t the first defender to be shown up by the Brazil captain and he won’t be the last. It was the one mistake Carvajal made in the entire game and he responded with a performance of genuine class and maturity and confirmed why he is one of the highest-rated La Liga defenders in EuroFantasyLeague.
Neymar came close to doubling Barca’s lead midway through the first half. The ball fell kindly for the forward, in the Madrid six-yard box, and it took a last-gasp challenge to prevent Iker Casillas being beaten again. And it wasn’t one of the experienced trio of Pepe, Sergio Ramos or Marcelo who made it – it was Carvajal. Throw in some fierce tackling and useful attacking and Carvajal illustrated perfectly why he is seen as La Roja’s long-term right-back.
Carvajal is in something of a job-share with Alvaro Arbeloa but Isco doesn’t even hold that status in the Madrid squad. The former Malaga playmaker is often said to be a favourite of Carlo Ancelotti but that guarantees nothing at the Santiago Bernabeu. The favourites of President Florentino Perez – the players who sell the most shirts – tend to take precedence. But more performances such as against Barca, when Isco filled in for Gareth Bale, will push the youngster to prominence.
Bale’s injury has meant a change in Madrid’s shape. Gone is the 4-3-3 formation and in its place is an unorthodox 4-4-2, with Isco and James on the wings. Neither are out-and-out wide men and wouldn’t ordinarily track an opposition full-back down the line, but Isco has battled away to great effect. James has done his fair share too but Isco has been an industrious revelation.
It was perhaps best seen when, against Barca, he was robbed by Dani Alves as he pushed down the flank. Rather than sulk or wait for one of his teammates to step in, Isco sprinted back and nicked the ball from Alves. Compared to Isco, Alves is a heavyweight, but tenacity won out and the sprightly Isco was away. In most other teams Isco would be a regular starter, probably the heartbeat of the side. It’s a sign of Madrid’s strength that he isn’t, but that may change in time as the ever-reliable Isco shows his worth.
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