The Observer
New member
Looks like another individualist, tunnel vision, head against the wall dribbler. They are going to miss Özil a lot in the latter stages of the CL.
Isco
- Thread starter Barcaman
- Start date
DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
The same Ozil who made it a regular practice to disappear in most big games for RM?
The Observer
New member
The same Ozil who made it a regular practice to disappear in most big games for RM?
lol What a myth.
11/12:
Bayern first leg: Özil goal.
Bayern second leg: Özil assist.
Title deciding Clasico in Camp Nou: Özil assist for Ronaldo's winner.
CdR return leg Camp Nou: Destroyed Abidal on the right wing.
12/13:
Supercopa Camp Nou: Özil delivery for Ronaldo's header.
La Liga Clasico Camp Nou: Ronaldo assist for equalizer.
CdR Clasico Bernabeu: Özil delivery for Varane's header.
CdR Camp Nou: Another Özil delivery for Varane's header.
CL Dortmund Bernabeu group stage: Freekick equalizer.
CL Dortmund Bernabeu: Assist for Benzema's goal.
Last edited:
Of the last four semi final legs RM played (Bayern and Dortmund), Ozil scored in one and assisted in two more. I wouldn't judge Isco negatively just yet, but your criticisim seems over the top as well - saying that RM will miss Ozil does not take anything away from Isco. He (Ozil) is a top quality player, and any club that loses a top quality player will naturally miss his quality. Doesn't mean they can't compensate. We'll see if RM can and whether it will be Isco who does the job.The same Ozil who made it a regular practice to disappear in most big games for RM?
The Observer
New member
Isco most certainly can't compensate because he's not a playmaker to begin with. That Real Madrid frontline is now all about individuals. I prefer Isco dribbling head down into our defense like that gif above over Özil picking the highline apart with a throughball. Özil's passing will certainly pay off a lot more than Isco's dribbling. Unless Isco scores 20+ goals in a season like that and pulls it off against any opponent and not just Galatasaray just like Özil can pick apart any team with his passes.
Last edited:
DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
Valid points but not exactly what I was referring to. Ozil is a great quality player but not some supernatural and irreplaceable midfield god that his padded assist stats make him out to be. He has his decisive moments and is great with aerial/set piece delivery and playing the final ball but rarely does he actually ever pull the strings in midfield or stamp his influence on a game over the full 90 minutes (barring certain games, i.e the 2-2 Clasico where he was RW).
He hardly ever aids in buildup or actually sparks attacks with his play, he simply poaches the assist playing the final ball after the attacking situation and space is already created. Granted, that role is useful in its own right and Ozil uses it to his advantage, but it's not something that is sorely missed and impossible to replace without him there. Another thing is that he does often go missing over the course of a game, which doesn't exactly favor the whole "Madrid are nothing without his glorious passing/vision" argument. He was a quality player for Madrid but he was never so influential on their play that they are suddenly lost without him.
Isco is a different styled player, but much better at creating attacks with his dribbling and transitional play; although yes he is also more of an individualist. Ozil has the knack for finding his teammates in the final third more often and directly providing for them, but he isn't much more than that. I highly doubt that Madrid are going to have any lack of goalscoring chances simply because Ozil isn't there. I'd also be willing to bet that when Isco develops into a more established and consistent player that they'll be even deadlier.
CatalinR10
Senior Member
What a goal
WallBreaker
Member
Isco is such a great player, and only 21...
He comes back from a month of formation change, personal battles with law suits, and an injury, he gets two matches to show his worth and he scores 2 great goals... this kid is great, all madrid have to do is find a good formation to accommodate him, heat maps and videos show his good work in deeper midfield, if only madrid had pogba then pogba-alonso-isco could reall be given a shot here.
Next season madrid will get either pogba or gundogan, pogba has much more merchandising potential than gundogan, dont see why perez would make the mistake of not getting him.
He comes back from a month of formation change, personal battles with law suits, and an injury, he gets two matches to show his worth and he scores 2 great goals... this kid is great, all madrid have to do is find a good formation to accommodate him, heat maps and videos show his good work in deeper midfield, if only madrid had pogba then pogba-alonso-isco could reall be given a shot here.
Next season madrid will get either pogba or gundogan, pogba has much more merchandising potential than gundogan, dont see why perez would make the mistake of not getting him.
Yes he is. He's fully capable of being involved in the build-up.
If you look at his stats, he's doubled his average passing per game since the move to Arsenal. That obviously doesn't tell the full story but he's always involved now. Just simple stuff, linking up with the midfield, with the attackers and the fullbacks. You could say he's one of the reason why Arsenal are playing such nice fluid football. He makes everything look so simple. Moves well, creates space for others and keeps the game moving. Simple, yet so effective.
I believe this type of football suits him better. He's going to get even better now when he's working with Wenger.
Last edited:
DonAndres
Wild Man of Borneo
Bad wording on my part, I was referring to his play when he was at Madrid. At Arsenal he's certainly grown and added new dimensions to his game such as being much more involved and keeping the play fluid, but previously at Madrid he wasn't as influential on their overall play. The point I was making is that RM are not going to have some massive drop in quality simply because Ozil left and Isco is there; Ozil, while great, was not responsible for the creation of all their goalscoring chances and didn't impact them so much that they are going to struggle without him. Isco is a developing young player with massive potential and has the ability to make things happen, even if he isn't the best provider yet.
Dinho
New member
He's more of a goal scoring, direct runner than a playmaker like a Silva and Iniesta.
Isco and Özil are quite similar in terms of having a great influence during spells and in the final third, rather than control a game for 90 minutes.
Real Madrid have an amazing quartet in Ronaldo, Bale, Isco and Benzema. But they lack the ability to dominate possession and break down deep defenses.
Alonso and Illarramendi could be the answer. They can control a game.
Isco and Özil are quite similar in terms of having a great influence during spells and in the final third, rather than control a game for 90 minutes.
Real Madrid have an amazing quartet in Ronaldo, Bale, Isco and Benzema. But they lack the ability to dominate possession and break down deep defenses.
Alonso and Illarramendi could be the answer. They can control a game.
El Gato
Villarato!
RM didn't yet manage to not score against a team who sat there with a deep defence this whole season. Mainly due to Isco and then CR and Bale effectiveness. Striking formation is starting to really work and they're looking good.
And yes. RM do dominate possession in most games. Nothing to do with that either.
It's the defense RM is struggling with against average-big teams. 5 clean sheets in all competitions is shameful given the standards these players should provide. But they'll get there.
And yes. RM do dominate possession in most games. Nothing to do with that either.
It's the defense RM is struggling with against average-big teams. 5 clean sheets in all competitions is shameful given the standards these players should provide. But they'll get there.
Dinho
New member
The front four don't track back enough. Hence no balance. They are overly reliant on counter attacks.
This guy was being compared to Iniesta at the start of the season...except..he's about a billion miles away from him in terms of passing and intelligence, and everything you want from a midfielder really.
People were even saying he was as talented as Neymar and one of the best three young players in the world
, give your heads a wobble.
Another overrated madrid player, of course, he's in very good company in that team so no new revelation here.
People were even saying he was as talented as Neymar and one of the best three young players in the world
, give your heads a wobble.Another overrated madrid player, of course, he's in very good company in that team so no new revelation here.
Trickykid
Active member
This guy was being compared to Iniesta at the start of the season...except..he's about a billion miles away from him in terms of passing and intelligence, and everything you want from a midfielder really.
People were even saying he was as talented as Neymar and one of the best three young players in the world
Another overrated madrid player, of course, he's in very good company in that team so no new revelation here.
I think you're being too harsh on Isco. He's a quality player, but I agree, at the moment far from the world beater that some people on this forum would have us believe. Hell, I still remember a few select doommongers in here crying and whining that Los Merengues would be invincible for ages to come when they signed him
With that said, he's sure as heck no Canales or Sarabia.
Home of Barca Fans
