Los Blancos have begun the season in strong form, but the Spain midfielder knows that the critics could turn on them
Isco thinks Real Madrid are showing they do not miss Cristiano Ronaldo, although he expects critics to doubt their chances of success if they fail to sustain their form.
Julen Lopetegui's side lost the UEFA Super Cup to Atletico Madrid but have started La Liga in strong fashion, scoring 10 goals in their three consecutive victories.
Seven of those goals have been scored by Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale – two players often said to be marginalised during Ronaldo's time at the Santiago Bernabeu – while the Portugal star himself has gone three games without finding the net since moving to Juventus in a €112 million (£88m/$117m) deal.
Isco admits Madrid are coping well without the five-time Ballon d'Or winner but feels any team will eventually miss a forward of such quality.
"Cris is an extraordinary player," he told a news conference. "He guaranteed you 40 to 50 goals. But if we win, they'll say we don't miss him and if we don't win, they'll say we do.
"We're playing very well now; players who didn't score as many goals last year are now filling their boots. We don't miss him at the moment. I wish him all the best at Juve."
Isco is preparing for Spain's Nations League clash with England on Saturday, their first since Luis Enrique took over as head coach after the World Cup.
The Madrid playmaker has been encouraged by the first few training sessions under the former Barcelona boss, even though he has made few alterations to their approach.
"We knew him already. He has a lot of character. He's won many things," Isco said. "In the end, the philosophy and the idea are the same. He changes a few things, he has his way of seeing football, but it's similar.
"We have had a few training sessions with him, we have to adapt but we're very happy. We're very enthusiastic at this stage.
"Every game requires a way to play. If you play against 11 behind the ball, there isn't much more you can try. We haven't won with long balls. We have to improve, but we have to continue from this point."
Luis Enrique is said to have introduced a handful of new rules within the team camp, including banning mobile phones when the players are having dinner.
"It's important to have boundaries," Isco said. "The mobiles at dinner rule seems good to me. It will be good for us not to have them with us all the time. Sometimes, we're more aware of them than our team-mates."
YouKnowZlatan
137
Just wait till the UCL... you will realize how much you miss CR7 then. #KingOfTheUCL #CR7juve
bakeknu
81
Isco is absolutely right, Real Madrid will be better without Cristiano Ronaldo because now they will play as a team and they will not feed tap ins to a certain player. we saw how horrible Bale and Benzema was when Ronaldo was in Madrid that's because they sacrificed themselves for Ronaldo just to score some tap ins. while Ronaldo will suffer because there will be no tap ins or Kroos, Modric, Marcelo or Carvajal to feed him delicious tap ins.
whykallar
27
Isco is a very honest guy, likewise a very great players, and i do agreed with what he said, they're surly missing and going to missed CR7, right now Madrid haven't meet any tuff team in tje leaque yet, they're only been playing small clubs, the soonest they start playing big clubs, they are surly going to be losing points, for example when they met Atletico Madrid, they lost, they missed CR7 on that day, but let wait to see, Absolutely it's not good to be with mobile phone at the same time eating, if you like to know, grab a phone and communicate as you eat, you won't even know how the food will finish, having meal is not good to be talking at all, two things can't easily occupy once space.
Biuaiklu
14
Lol real Madrid has played just three games against who? just three games against average teams people think things will stay the same throughout the remaining games? lol, which strong club has Madrid played so far? atletico Madrid and they lost heavily now isco thinks everything gonna be okay without Ronnie
ayushjuve
14
u will realize in big match with strong club
chango25
11
Isco is having more respect for Cr7 like Real Madrid players and the fans do but now Madrid are more of a team than before when Cr7 was still there at Real Madrid.
lepden
10
The lost against atletico in the past with him even to smaller teams..cr7 is a big loss but las las Madrid will be fine.if they lose match tomorrow doesn't mean they wouldn't have if cr7 were there. Good luck to cr7 I'm a big fan of him.
Kucntuy
10
Madrid Spanish players are hypocrites, jealous about Ronaldo, all ve started talking rubbish about Ronaldo.... Madrid ve lost one trophy wit Atletico, which Zidane should ve won the trophy...we wil see at the end
Rayokasali
10
I sincerely hope they continue in this beast mode. But what will happen if Bale feels like going to need his doctor like usual and Benzema tries to reminisce? 🙂🙂