The great debate: Isco or Bale?
Zinedine Zidane faces arguably the biggest test of his charmed Real Madrid managerial career so far: stick with Isco for the UEFA Champions League final, or rush a fully fit Gareth Bale back in.
Now the couch potatoes at beIN SPORTS have weighed into the debate, presenting our arguments for and against Bale's inclusion, at the expense of the in-form Spanish midfielder.
The argument for Bale: Tom Findlay
If there’s one thing Gareth Bale has that Isco doesn’t, it’s X-factor - that ability to smash a game open with a lung-busting run down the touchline, a sublime piece of skill on the turn or a highlight reel goal.
That the UEFA Champions League final will be played in front of the Welshman’s home fans, in Cardiff, ensures that if ever there was a stage befitting a big-game player like Bale, this is it.
Tactically, Isco produced a master class in Madrid’s semi-final win over Atletico Madrid, but he will find the going a lot tougher against a Juventus team that successfully nullified a Barcelona unit full of similar midfielders.
See what beIN's actual experts think:
Juve’s defensive pillars Giorgio Chiellini and Leonardo Bonucci are well versed in closing down midfielders who like to drift from flank to flank, looking for gaps between the defensive lines. They will find the going tougher against Bale, who will stretch out the Madrid forward line and poses threats with his pace and tendency to back himself in one-on-one situations.
Juventus likes to attack in a 4-2-3-1 formation and revert to a 4-4-2 in defence, creating deep-lying defensive lines that aren’t fazed by intricate passing play.
It’s for this reason that Isco will struggle to make an impact in the way he did against Atleti. Bale is capable of ripping up the script and taking defenders on a merry romp across the forward line as he deploys his power and size to create opportunities out of nothing.
Like a lot of fans, Juve may be anticipating an Isco start. But Zinedine Zidane has a very talented ace up his sleeve, capable of throwing a cat among the pigeons if he is given the chance to shine in front of his home fans.
Finally, Bale’s height gives Madrid another advantage at set pieces. In its 2015 semi-final loss to the Italians, Madrid attacked the left flanks through Marcelo, who sent angled crosses into Bale at the far post. The tactic didn’t pay off in that tightly-fought two-legger, but Zidane would be mad not to try it again on Sunday.
The argument for Isco: Basil Saab
Zinedine Zidane has won plenty of admirers in his first full season in charge for the way he restored balance to a top heavy side bursting with superstars.
He blooded in young talent like Caseimerio and Marco Asensio, and prioritised team chemistry over appeasing big-money signings.
Zidane is now faced with the very same dilemma ahead of his side’s biggest test of the season, and the Frenchman has to stick to the philosophy which got him this far in the first place.
Sure Gareth Bale’s $154 million price tag speaks for itself, but Isco has slotted seamlessly into the starting XI in his absence and played a pivotal role in Real Madrid’s semi-final win over fierce rival Atletico Madrid.
Zidane’s side is purring heading into the UEFA Champions League final and now is not the time to start tinkering with the starting line-up. Isco has proved his worth on club football’s biggest stage and Zidane should repay the faith.
The stats also support Isco’s claim for a starting spot, his 91 percent pass accuracy this season (compared to Bale’s 78.5 percent) will be invaluable against a resolute Juventus defence which starves the opposition of space in midfield.
It won’t be an easy call for Zidane, but with Isco in midfield, his side has already proved it has what it takes to go all the way in the Champions League, which strikes the question – Why try to fix something that isn’t broken?
