Real Madrid: Santiago Solari suggests that Isco must work harder at training

Santiago Solari refused to answer Isco's claims about the lack of opportunities at Real Madrid, But does the Spanish midfielder have to work harder during training?

Isco struggled to save time this season, making only five league games this month in the 22 games of the Liga de Madrid. His chances are even rarer in recent weeks.

Former Madrid midfielder Ruben of the Red has warned the Spanish playmaker that "Madrid will not be expecting anyone" on Thursday, prompting Isco to respond on Twitter: "I am in agreement with De la Red but I do not share the same opportunities as your team-Comrades, things change.

"I always work hard and I fight while I wait."

Solari, speaking before the Madrid derby Saturday with Atletico, was asked to say he thought all his players were treated. also, and said: "In football you have to work and put all your talent into everything.

"You have to do it at the training in order to be available to play."

Asked specifically about Isco, he added: "A professional footballer must do his job, which is to train 100% to be ready to play.

"The team is in good shape, all the players work well at every workout to make sure the team is the most important thing."

Isco has not managed to finish Friday's session due to a back problem and is a doubt for the shock of the city.

Solari said: "He had to leave the training because he has a back problem, we'll see how he goes this afternoon."

Teenage winger Vinicius Junior is likely to play at Wanda Metropolitano, although Solari admitted that the Brazilian had been "affected" by the fire of the youth complex of his former club Flamengo, which reportedly killed 10 people .

Madrid hopes that the 18 – year – old is in a good state of mind for a clash between Solari and his Argentine compatriot Diego Simeone.

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"I respect him [Simeone] a lot, "said Solari. We were teammates [for Argentina]and he was also my coach at San Lorenzo and it will be nice to share things on a professional, team and coach level.

"I'm sure it will be a great match, we have to compete with energy and intensity."

Madrid go in the game in third place, two points behind Atleti.