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Santiago Solari called this decision a "sporting decision, nothing else", as if it improved, but it was only fueling the flames of what became his first insidious problem at Real Madrid.
If Isco was injured, his absence from the substitute bench for the Champions League victory over Roma on Tuesday would probably not have deserved a second look, but Solari's tactical choice left something to be desired.
Solari did not choose him in any of his first five teams, but three times against him, against Real Valladolid, Viktoria Plzen and Eibar.
Then, at the Stadio Olimpico, Isco was not involved at all, but sat in the stands, under the likes of Federico Valverde (20), Javi Sanchez (21) and Dani Ceballos (22).
Solari demoted Keylor Navas below Thibaut Courtois in goal, but Isco feels like the first branded player to be significantly worse off under the new Madrid coach.
He underwent appendix surgery in late September, but the expected recovery time was only one month. He was also loyal to Lopetegui, who trusted him for Spain when Zinedine Zidane ignored him at Real Madrid.
"If they send it back, they should send us all back," Isco said, while Lopetegui's work was at stake last month, was quickly the subject of a remark by Captain Sergio Ramos.
It was suggested that Solari take note of Isco's remarks and see in Isco's comments the kind of shyness that, according to some, was at the root of Lopetegui's discomfort. But there was no suggestion of that in Italy.
"These are calls you make at some point," said Solari. "It was a sporting decision, nothing else, there are no starters or substitutes guaranteed in football, it's up to all players to be 100%, so coaches can choose them."
Attitude
The implication was an attitude problem, which Marcelo, speaking nearby in the stadium, barely denied.
"We are all adults," he said. "You have to work, I'm not saying that Isco is not working, but he has to work and see why he's not playing."
Maybe the departure of Lopetegui hit Isco stronger than most people. He might have had the feeling that he finally had a Real Madrid coach who believed in him, but Solari had to replace him and put him back on the bench.
When the future of Isco seems uncertain, there has never been a shortage of suitors. Manchester City, Juventus, Liverpool, or even Barcelona, reportedly tried to catch him before his last contract renewal last September.
The agreement included a € 700 million release clause, a figure that is not usually tied to marginal players, but the club's support to Isco has not always been trusted by the coach, Carlo Ancelotti , Rafa Benitez or Zidane.
When he left Malaga for 23 million euros ($ 26.1 million) in 2013, he felt that Real added his own touch of Xavi Hernandez or Andres Iniesta, a next-generation Spanish midfielder with technical skills, swagger and an eye for the past.
But his tactical discipline has always raised doubts. A documentary on the club entitled "Heart of the XIII" on last season's Champions League win showed Zidane at half-time ordering Isco to play higher, behind Liverpool midfielder. In the 61st minute, he was replaced by Gareth Bale.
He will be asked again questions about the fact that he is absent from Saturday's La Liga home match against Valencia, where Real hopes to prove that his defeat against Eibar last weekend has been that a shock for an otherwise awesome waking.
They still have five points and Barcelona in second place, while only six separate the top seven, while Sevilla leads and Alaves, Espanyol and Girona are well placed.
Atletico will go ahead if they beat Girona on Sunday but will be immediately outscored by Barca if the Catalans win at home against Villarreal.
Sevilla will win against Alaves, a team that has already beaten Real Madrid this season and missed the opportunity to sit at the top of the pile last Friday. La Liga remains wide open.
Calendar (GMT)
Friday
Rayo Vallecano v Eibar (2000)
Saturday
Celta Vigo against Huesca (1200), Real Valladolid against Leganes (1515), Getafe against Espanyol (1730), Real Madrid against Valencia (1945)
Sunday
Real Betis v Real Sociedad (1100), Girona v Atletico Madrid (1515), Barcelona v Villarreal (1730), Alaves v Sevilla (1945)
On Monday
Levante v Athletic Bilbao (2000)
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