Thursday 27 April 2017 08:56, UK
Sky Sports Spanish football expert Guillem Balague believes Isco's fine form could put pressure on Gareth Bale's place in the Real Madrid starting XI.
The Wales international suffered a calf injury during the Clasico defeat and is set to miss a crucial stretch of fixtures as Real challenge for the La Liga title and Champions League.
Isco scored his 10th league goal of the season as a heavily rotated Real beat Deportivo 6-2 on Wednesday night.
James Rodriguez and Marco Asensio also impressed and Balague believes their contributions could leave Zinedine Zidane with a selection dilemma once Bale returns to fitness.
"It shows that Real Madrid have got the players to replace him [Bale] without any problem," Balague told Sky Sports. "This is a different injury to the one in Munich, it's a different leg.
"It's all the consequence of the operation on his ankle. He would like to be back by the Cardiff [Champions League] final and he thinks he may be back by then.
"But Isco's form, Asensio's form, James' form, and the reaction to playing Bale in the Clasico, may make Zidane think twice about playing Bale coming back from injury.
"In terms of controlling games, this is a much more entertaining side with James - who has been on and off this season - but especially Isco.
"It's amazing to think that it's the first time in his career he's scored 10 goals. And that until the Bayern Munich game, Fabio Coentrao and Mariano had played more minutes in the Champions League, which suggests he really is not one of Zidane's top XI.
"But Bale may be thinking, unless I get a good run of games, which won't come this season, Isco's coming to take over.
"We all know the business model at Real and Bale's quality has meant until now he will always play when fit.
"Carlo Ancelotti once admitted the player complained to the president when he didn't play and the Italian felt he had to always play him.
"But Isco is closer to signing another contract with Madrid than going away. That plus his great form suggests the scenario might change come next season."
