Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that the “important” Isco will replace the injured Luka Modric when Real Madrid host Eibar in La Liga on Sunday.
Modric has been ruled out for up to a month after suffering a knee ailment in training a day before the game, opening the door for Isco to stake a rare claim in Zidane’s plans.
“Isco will play tomorrow because he’s doing fine and is a top player,” the Coach said at a Press conference.
“If he’s in the national team then it’s for a reason because if it’s for the minutes he’s played, it would be difficult to call him up.
“But we know the quality he has, I’m the first [to say so] because I like him. He’s not had any problems in training, he’s an important player and he’ll play for Real Madrid.
“Coentrao has a knock which he’s picked up after a lot of work because he’s spent three weeks training normally.
“It’s normal after five months out. We’re not going to risk him. We’ll take time with him, and when he’s better, he’ll return to the squad.
“We have enough players to overcome absences. Marcelo is gradually recovering, he’s getting better and I hope that after the international break, he’s back with the group. I’m sure he will be.
“Benzema? His problem is with the Coach, I know Karim’s an important player for us, that he’s very good and I won’t get into why he didn’t get called up for France.
“He’s going to stay with us for now, we’ll be able to work with him and what I want is for him to recover the best Karim. He’s doing so gradually.”
