Isco's impressive performance for Spain in their recent 6-1 victory over Argentina has led many to wonder why he doesn't seem able to reproduce his national team form for his club.
It seems that Isco always impresses when wearing the red of Spain, but that he only comes up with a handful of similar performances for Real Madrid, something Zinedine Zidane has put down to the difference in the number of matches both teams play.
"Maybe with the national team Isco is different because he has eight matches with them [in a season], whereas here there are 60," Zidane said in the pre-match press conference ahead of Los Blancos' Champions League match against Juventus. "Here we play every three days.
"For me there are no backups."I have 25 very good players and I am going to use them all."There are moments in which some will play more.
"Asked what his preferred formation is, Zidane explained to the reporters in the room that he likes to mix it up."I have liked all of the tactical systems I've used," he said."We can choose to play with width, with a diamond, with a 4-3-3.
"I like to change and to play in different ways."The fact that Real Madrid thrashed Juventus 4-1 in last year's final was also brought up, although Zidane didn't think this would prove to be a factor on Tuesday night.
"We will try to play a good match, but the events of 10 months ago will have no bearing on this game," he said. Asked if Juventus are tougher over two legs, the Frenchman was unsure.
"I don't know, but we don't need to think too much about that," Zidane stated."It's another match in another setting."It's totally different [from Cardiff]."I might change the tactics, but you'll see tomorrow."Of course, for Zidane this is a return to his former club and his Juve past came up as well.
"I think I learned a lot as a player and as a person in my five years there," he said."They welcomed me like a family member."I have good memories of that time.
"One reporter even asked if he'd ever consider coaching Juventus and Zidane didn't completely rule it out."You can never say never, but I'm happy where I am and I'm only focussed on coaching Real Madrid," he said.
"I don't think about the future, I think of the day to day."You know what it's like in this professional and especially at Real Madrid."The match against the Italian champions will kick off at 20:45 CET.
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