Real Madrid playmaker Isco says he was delighted to play the full 90 minutes against Cadiz in the Copa del Rey as he was able to maintain his fitness.
The 24-year-old, who was sent off in the Clasico two weeks ago, scored twice in the 3-1 win in the first leg of the last 32 tie with the Segunda B side. The focus of the headlines since has been the inclusion of Denis Cheryshev, who was supposed to be serving his one-match ban for picking up three yellow card in last season’s competition.
His inclusion could see Real thrown out of the Copa after Cadiz launched an official complaint, but Isco preferred to focus on the positives after the game.
Speaking to the media, he stated: “We put in a good match at a really special ground. It’s a good result against a strong team who look to control the ball, and I think that we played pretty well. Nobody is in any doubt about the quality James has, he’s a really important player for us. We have to be bang at it because we need everyone.”
And he added: “I think that the coach gave me the full 90 minutes to ensure my fitness doesn’t drop off. My sending-off against Barcelona was a nasty challenge from me, but I’m young and you have to look to improve.”
