Real Madrid attacking midfielder Isco has emerged as a doubt for the derby clash with Atletico Madrid after withdrawing from the Spain squad with an injury. The 25-year-old sustained a thigh injury as La Furia Roja thrashed Costa Rica 5-0. It followed a robust challenge by Kendall Watson, which saw the former Valencia and Malaga man go down on 69 minutes and gesture to be replaced. Isco was promptly substituted and replaced by his club teammate Marco Asensio.
The extent of the injury is not yet known but it is serious enough to see him pull out of the upcoming friendly encounter with World Cup hosts Russia. Isco is now in the care of Real Madrid’s medical staff who face a race against time to get him fit for the Madrid Derby. If he cannot prove his fitness in time, he will join a growing injury list that includes attacker Gareth Bale, midfielder Mateo Kovacic, defender Raphael Varane, and goalkeeper Keylor Navas.
Isco Injury A Huge Blow For Real Madrid
In what has been a difficult season so far for Los Blancos, Isco has performed admirably. He has found the net four times in eleven La Liga appearances. If he continues to score at this rate, he will surpass his best tally of ten league goals from the 2016-17 campaign. The man from Benalmádena has established himself as a first team regular under Zinedine Zidane and will be sorely missed, if injury rules him out on Saturday.
There is never any love lost in the Madrid Derby but Saturday’s trip across the capital to Wanda Metropolitano has added importance. Both teams are tied on 23 points after eleven matches, a full 8 points adrift of runaway La Liga leaders Barcelona. Therefore, a draw does not particularly suit either side and the team that loses could face an uphill struggle to get back into the title race.
