When Modric returns, one of Isco or Asensio will drop to the bench
The Croatian has been a substitute in Real Madrid's first three official matches after returning to training later than his teammates but he's back to full fitness now
Real Madrid coach, Julen Lopetegui, says that he's delighted with the squad he has. However that might come back to haunt him when he needs to make unpopular decisions. One of those is dropping Keylor Navas for Thibaut Courtois, even if there isn't a reason to relegate the Costa Rican to the bench. However that isn't the only issue because when Luka Modric returns to the starting lineup, it means someone in the current eleven will miss out.
Isco and Marco Asensio are the two most likely candidates to make away for the Croatian. Luka was the last player to join in preseason training as Croatia made it to the World Cup final. This put Modric at a disadvantage in regards to fitness compared to his teammates, meaning he had to start the first three matches on the bench.
ready to start
Modric is back to full fitness and is ready to start again, which means Lopetegui needs to sacrifice someone from his current XI. Isco is arguably the midfielder who has started the worst. His movement hasn't been sharp, he hasn't taken the opportunity handed to him to strengthen the attack and is guilty of overplaying his dribbles in the opposition's half. However he did show what he was capable of with his assist for Bale's goal in Real Madrid's 3-1 victory over Girona.
The other option is to drop Asensio to the bench. He's improved under Lopetegui but if he's the one to make away, it could see the team switch from 4-3-3 to 4-4-2. The third possibility, although the most unlikely too, is dropping Casemiro and playing Kroos and Modric in the centre of midfield as they did under Ancelotti.
