Real Madrid will begin their charge to a fourth successive Champions League final on Wednesday evening with a trip to Amsterdam to face Ajax, yet former midfielder Rafael van der Vaart can't understand why Isco isn't being given a chance by Santiago Solari.
Incidentally, the Spanish playmaker will miss the trip to the Dutch capital courtesy of an injury, but since the Argentine coach took charge there has been a distinct lack of opportunities for the former Malaga star.
"Everybody needs a player like Isco, I can't understand why he doesn't play," he explained in an interview with Radio MARCA.
"He reminds me of myself, he's not very tall but he has a lot of technical ability.
"I'm a big supporter of his."
Ajax welcome the defending champions to the Johan Cruyff Arena for the club's first Champions League knockout tie since the 2005/06 season, yet the former Tottenham midfielder believes it will be difficult for his former side to get past Los Blancos.
"Ajax will make it a very difficult match, they're a great team, but Real Madrid are Real Madrid," he said.
"Real Madrid are in fine form and they showed that in the derby, whilst Ajax didn't give me a good feeling in their last match.
"I see Real Madrid as the favourite.
"If Ajax are to have a chance, they will have to play like they did against Bayern Munich."
Frenkie de Jong has already secured a lucrative transfer to Barcelona, but the midfielder will have a chance to shine on the biggest stage on Wednesday evening, and Van der Vaart is of the belief that the Dutch international is perfectly suited to the Blaugrana's style.
"He gets a lot of goals from midfield and is fantastic with the ball," he confirmed.
"He's the best player in Holland.
"I think that's why Barcelona are the best possible team for him to be in."
Luka_Modric10
0
So why is your focus on Navas after all Marcelo has done much more for Madrid and he's on the bench tonight? If you are a Madrid lover you probably should be more passionate about Marcelo. Or is it that you just dislike Courtois.
Noooooo it's not like this
Rozilsound
0
who told you I don't care about Marcelo I love Marcelo
So why is your focus on Navas after all Marcelo has done much more for Madrid and he's on the bench tonight? If you are a Madrid lover you probably should be more passionate about Marcelo. Or is it that you just dislike Courtois.
RichardSondashi
1
Me too, i can't understand why.
juniornii22
0
Bale
bale is a forward and isco is a midfielder
U.S.A2685959
0
so who should be on the bench for him to play???
Or at least make him your 13th or 14th pick, use him for 2nd team games, he hasn’t started 1 game other than Moscow. Every other player has started a few game except for him! Do you really not see that?? It’s annoying AF
U.S.A2685959
0
so who should be on the bench for him to play???
Bale
Luka_Modric10
0
Yes i want Courtois in goal because he's better than Navas sentiment aside. Navas has been great but Marcelo has been greater but no one is disturbed because its a Spanish boy benching him. If Casillas can be benched after 12 amazing years then who is Navas?
who told you I don't care about Marcelo I love Marcelo
Rozilsound
0
so you want courtois in goals if you want that you are not madrista and stop replying to madrista
Yes i want Courtois in goal because he's better than Navas sentiment aside. Navas has been great but Marcelo has been greater but no one is disturbed because its a Spanish boy benching him. If Casillas can be benched after 12 amazing years then who is Navas?
BridgetUlle
0
isco can't play as a fast wingwr like vazquez solari is using fast players at d wing
I got your point now
standard2002
0
Really?!
isco can't play as a fast wingwr like vazquez solari is using fast players at d wing
U.S.A6821659
0
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .
[image]
Casemeiro always been a starter
BridgetUlle
0
isco cant play d role vaques is playing so he cant replace vazquez
Really?!
BridgetUlle
0
thank you for your reply and God bless you
Bless you too
standard2002
0
He can replace Vasquez or bale
isco cant play d role vaques is playing so he cant replace vazquez
TinoConstantine
0
so who should be on the bench for him to play???
Coutinho obviously,that guy is annoying man
musbimrsy
1
Ask Perez.
Luka_Modric10
0
Me too girl
thank you for your reply and God bless you
juniornii22
0
so who should be on the bench for him to play???
Achand7
0
I think madrid can sell isco for icardi deal
BridgetUlle
0
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .
[image]
Me too girl
BridgetUlle
0
ohk but isco cant be in d starting lineup because of kross mofric casemiro and vinicius
He can replace Vasquez or bale
BridgetUlle
0
could we exchange isco with ozil？I'm a gunners
BridgetUlle
1
Isco should be in the starting xi seriously
Luka_Modric10
0
Next time don't say we, You're the one that wants Isco and Navas. What Real Madrid fans wan't is to win every trophy possible regardless of who sits on the bench be it Navas, Isco, Marcelo or Bale.
so you want courtois in goals if you want that you are not madrista and stop replying to madrista
Luka_Modric10
0
ohk but isco cant be in d starting lineup because of kross mofric casemiro and vinicius
But he can be sub in why solari doesn't want him to play at all that's my question
memblnrsuz
0
I think the key of playing casemiro is to form a solid defence bcs Madrid sometimes have defence problems like the case when Marcelo, and Carvajal attack
Rozilsound
0
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .
[image]
Next time don't say we, You're the one that wants Isco and Navas. What Real Madrid fans wan't is to win every trophy possible regardless of who sits on the bench be it Navas, Isco, Marcelo or Bale.
Realmadridforlife555
1
Can understand my self either, Isco is so good
standard2002
1
first I'm a girl second I just give an example it could be any other midfiel
ohk but isco cant be in d starting lineup because of kross mofric casemiro and vinicius
busdimoru
1
isco is a great playmaker!!!
Luka_Modric10
1
could we exchange isco with ozil？I'm a gunners
No !!!!!!!! Personally I prefer Isco ❤
Luka_Modric10
1
guy now how will u say we want isco and he put casemiro .casemiro is akey figure for Madrid
first I'm a girl second I just give an example it could be any other midfiel
K6Chen
2
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .
[image]
could we exchange isco with ozil？I'm a gunners
kamampsy
1
casemaerio is one of the best DM.... So he can't Also bench him
standard2002
1
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .
[image]
guy now how will u say we want isco and he put casemiro .casemiro is akey figure for Madrid
Luka_Modric10
0
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .
[image]
Isco **
Luka_Modric10
2
No one understands Santiago Solari . We need Navas in goal he put courtois. We need Ksco in midfiel he put Casemeiro .