Solari declines Isco speculation but laments Copa Libertadores disaster

Hands up what the main topic of conversation for Santiago Solari’s press conference on Friday.

Saturday’s La Liga clash against Valencia? Nope.

How things are going with injuries? Nope.

What’s Solari binge-watching these days? Nope.

Wrong to put up Christmas trees in November? Nope

Isco? Yep! Ding, ding!

The current persona non grata of Real Madrid’s midfield – the new James Rodriguez, perhaps - is currently the hot topic in the Bernabeu world and whether the player is being wiped from scene by Solari for tactical reasons, fitness, or the footballer was mean to the manager during a training session.

However, Solari was not giving any clues. “I consider that the subject is closed, and that I can't be aware of your speculations," was the swift response from the Argentinean who wasn’t even able to confirm if the player was in the squad for Valencia or being left out as against Roma in the midweek Champions League clash for Madrid.

Solari was more forthcoming on the topic of Real Madrid’s home hosting the troubled Copa Libertadores final second-leg clash between River Plate and Boca Juniors next Sunday. At least, that’s the plan at the moment.

“Having to play an ocean away has broken many hearts,” said the former River Plate player. “For me this game has lost significance, it's a pity to say but it is a reality. I hope that the Bernabeu serves to make it a decent final."

The Copa Libertadores will be just one of the hot topics covered by the Locker Room today at 7:30PM ET / 4:30PM PT.

Alexis out while Umtiti considers surgery to fix niggling knee

Bad news for both Alexis Sanchez and Manchester United was announced on Friday. The Chilean injured his hamstring in training on Thursday and is set for a lengthy spell on the sidelines. But not because he has been dropped from the squad, which is the usual form for poor Alexis. 

Jose Mourinho said that judging by the way his player screamed in pain, his absence will be a "long time." The peripheral poacher will not be missed on the pitch, but the revenue from the inability to sell the striker in January now will certainly leave a financial vacuum. 

Staying on the bad news train and Barcelona is reportedly considering surgery on Samuel Umtiti's left knee, which is continuing to cause problems for the French stopper. Umtiti only returned to action last weekend against Atletico Madrid after two-weeks out, but was forced to miss Barca's midweek Champions League clash against PSV. 

Portland Timbers secure MLS Cup date with Atlanta United 

Let's spin back the big clock of time for a moment and catch up on all the soccer action Stateside on Thursday night and the MLS Play-off Conference finals. 

A 3-0 lead from the first leg for Atlanta United was too big for the New York Red Bulls to overcome. The home side were only able to pull the tie back by the single second half injury-time goal in a 1-0 win.

So, that means that Mexico's expected appointment of Tata Martino as head coach will be put on hold until another week or so as the Argentinean coach now as an MLS Cup final date in Atlanta with the Portland Timbers.

The Oregon outfit went into Saturday's final with a victory at Sporting Kansas City, but it was nerve-shreddingly dramatic with a 3-2 win for the Timbers. 

Elsewhere, Thursday came and went with no announcement on Gregg Berhalter as USMNT boss. Maybe Friday. 

Weekend gets underway with Friday football frenzy 

A curious cluster of games in Europe to behold on Friday. 

La Liga gets underway with a very relegation-threatened Rayo Vallecano hosting an Eibar side that is still full of pomp and circumstance over last weekend's triumph over Real Madrid. That game is live on beIN CONNECT at 3PM ET / 12PM PT. 

beIN SPORTS itself in all its glory is offering up fine fair from Ligue Un and Saint Etienne taking on Nantes. 

The Premier League is making a rare foray into Friday. Cardiff City is holding court against a Wolves side that looked like bright, young things at the beginning of the season but are now bordering on CRISIS! mode after four defeats in five. 

The best of all the day's action as well as a full preview of the weekend's big games will be on the XTRA at 7PM ET / 4PM PT.