The weapon of Lopetegui

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Real Madrid’s goalscoring drought has coincided with the absence of Isco, who had to be operated on for appendicitis on September 25.

That surgery came just three days after their 1-0 victory against Espanyol and Los Blancos haven’t scored since, now going 409 minutes without a goal.

He is trying to return as soon as possible and was able to train with the group on Monday and on Tuesday, completing these sessions and feeling good about his fitness.

There are still three training sessions this week ahead of Saturday’s lunchtime kick-off against Levante and the No.22 is trying to be available for that match, especially because Julen Lopetegui would love to have him.

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With Los Blancos lacking the ability to break through opposition’s deep-lying back lines with precise passing, Isco is the medicine they’ve been needing.

Isco was already one of Lopetegui’s star men for the Spanish national team and there was expectation that the man from Malaga could perform similarly well under the Basque in club football.

His appendicitis has stalled this process, though.

For now, such long-term objectives are being left to the side and the short-term aim for the player is to make the squad against Levante, while for the team it is to score a goal.

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