I never bought into any of the Isco myths that stuck with him his entire career. Beyond all the numbers, what I may miss the most is his bounce and artistry:įor all the flack Isco would receive for being ‘slow’, ‘redundant’ - he was one of the best ball-progressors in the world and was a highly vertical player at the apex of his powers. His two-year peak from 2016 - 2018 was incredible. Isco’s Real Madrid CV: Five Champions League titles, four Fifa Club World Cup titles, three La Liga titles, three UEFA Super Cup titles, one Copa del Rey title, three Spanish Super Cup titles, UEFA Champions League Team of the Season (2016 - 2017), first in La Liga in goals per shot (2016 - 2017), fourth in La Liga in passes into the penalty area (2017 - 2018), fourth in La Liga in shot-creating actions per 90 (2017 - 2018), fifth in La Liga in progressive carrying distance (2017 - 2018), second in La Liga in progressive carries (2017 - 2018), fourth in La Liga in xA per 90 (2017 - 2018), second in La Liga in assists per 90 (2016 - 2017), fifth in La Liga in non-penalty goals + assists per 90 (2016 - 2017), second in La Liga in through balls (2017 - 2018). Letting Bale carry the ball in transition to feed Ronaldo was a pure cheat code. When I think of the Bale - Ronaldo partnership, I will immediately think of them putting Bayern Munch in a blender in Munich in 2014 and eviscerating Atletico Madrid at the Calderon in 2016. But think of how much collective greatness arose from those two. The era did not disappoint, regardless of where you stand on the Gareth Bale spectrum. What if you had a left-footed version of Cristiano Ronaldo on the opposite side? How do you defend two Greek Gods cutting in, swapping positions, and towering into the box as a double-headed behemoth with supreme aerial ability? Needless to say, the words of Perez and Zidane stirred imaginations. A freak an athletic phenom and goalscoring assassin. He had the same affect Vince Carter did at the turn of the century, where League Pass revolved around Toronto Raptors games and opposing arenas would sell out everywhere Toronto played. Watching Bale play in England was must-watch TV. “Aside from Ronaldo and Messi, who are the top players, I must admit that he is the footballer who impressed me most,” Zidane said of the Welshman. In May of 2013, just one week before Florentino Perez publicly declared “Gareth Bale was born to play for Real Madrid”, then sporting director Zinedine Zidane said that he turned on Tottenham’s game for the sole reason that Gareth Bale was playing. LISTEN / WATCH: Kiyan and Matt’s tribute episode for Gareth Bale on the Managing Madrid Podcast. Gareth Bale’s Real Madrid CV: Five Champions League titles, four FIFA World Club Cup titles, three European Super Cup titles, three La Liga titles, one Copa del Rey title, three Spanish Super Cup titles, first in La Liga in assists per 90 (2015 - 2016), third in La Liga in goals per 90 (2017 - 2018), fourth in La Liga in assists twice (2013 - 2014, 2015 - 2016), second in La Liga in goals + assists per 90 (2015 - 2016), second in all big-five European Leagues in non-penalty goals + assists per 90 (2015 - 2016), top-four in La Liga in shot generation per 90 four times (2015 - 2016, 2016 - 2017, 2017 - 2018, 2018 - 2019). Welcome to the first observations column of the month, where I touched on a range of Real Madrid topics before the team heads out to the United States. These observations - where I look at Real Madrid ’s history, its players on loan, Castilla, tactical tidbits, and other relevant thoughts - are now a regular thing. LINKS TO BOOK YOUR SPOT TO OUR LAS VEGAS AND SAN FRANCISCO SHOWS HERE
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