MADRID, Dec. 14 (Xinhua) -- One man is making the headlines as Real Madrid prepare to play their last Liga Santander game of 2018 at home to Rayo Vallecano on Saturday: midfielder Isco.
The Spanish international is the focus for all of the criticism directed at Santiago Solari's side in the wake of their humiliating 3-0 defeat at home to CSKA Moscow on Wednesday night, and the question now being asked is not 'why isn't Isco playing more often' but rather 'what is wrong with Isco?'
The midfielder had a poor game against CSKA in only his second start since Solari replaced Julen Lopetegui at the start of November and reacted angrily to boos and whistles from the stands after miscuing a shot in the second half.
He was also the center of controversy after refusing to take the captains armband after Marcelo (another under achiever of late) left the pitch, saying it should be for right back Dani Carvajal.
Carvajal has tried to take the steam out of the incident by thanking Isco for his gesture, but the knives are being sharpened in the press for Isco, with criticism of his attitude in training and his overall fitness.
Given the climate, it is unlikely that he will be in the side when Rayo Vallecano visit the Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon as Real Madrid look for a positive sendoff to the World Club Cup in the UAE.
With Gareth Bale a doubt with an ankle problem and Isco almost certainly out of the equation, Solari will have to choose between Marco Asensio or Vinicius Jr to replace the Welshman, with Asensio, who is also having a disappointing season likely to get the nod ahead of the young Brazilian, who clearly has talent, but is still very raw.
The CSKA defeat was the nadir of Solari's short reign at Madrid and highlights that although results have picked up slightly since he replaced Lopetegui, many of Madrid's displays, such as their defeat to Eibar and last weekend's 1-0 win to bottom of the table Huesca, have still been poor.
Rayo travel north second from bottom of the table and without striker Raul de Tomas, who is on loan from Madrid, they are likely to try and attack Madrid.
The problem for coach Michel Sanchez is they have the joint worst defense in the league, having conceded 30 goals in 15 matches and that is the weakness Real Madrid should exploit in order to quieten the Bernabeu booboys.
