There are always surprises in El Clasico. Zinedine Zidane has become unpredictable with his starting line-ups and he's opted to play Isco ahead of Luka Modric against Barcelona on Wednesday night.
Leaving Modric out of the team for a game of this magnitude has raised some eyebrows. The 2018 Ballon d'Or winner can do everything Isco does and he's won over the Real Madrid supporters for performances in matches like this.
You'd have thought Modric's control, touch and experience would've guaranteed him a place in a four-man midfield. With no Eden Hazard and Rodrygo and Vinicius vastly inexperienced, Modric was expected to start.
In the absence of Modric, Isco has the chance to rediscover his best form on the biggest stage. It looks like a pressing team and this would certainly be a risk on Zidane part, but Zidane is used to taking risks and Modric has paid the price.