Solari's 'victims'

He arrived as interim manager and ended up signing a contract until 2021. His tests were not as demanding as they could have been, but he was impressed by their victories against Melilla, Viktoria Plzen and, especially, Celta Vigo. The 2-0 win over Valladolid was below the overall level shown in the other two games.

Both in the club and in the stands of the Bernabéu, anticipation knocked on the door again. But not for everyone. For some, the arrival of Solari has meant a step backwards in their sporting aspirations in the dressing room. At least in the immediate ones.

Keylor Navas is a good example of that. The 'tico' always chose to rely on his chances despite the signing of Courtois. Lopetegui hesitated, but ended up being Solomonic and played the Costa Rican three times in the Champions League.

However, the current 'merengue' boss broke away from the rule and now relies solely on the Belgian goalkeeper, other than in the Copa del Rey. Navas is left out of the spotlight for Real Madrid's most important games. 

Isco and Asensio, an 'indivisible pair' off the pitch and sometimes 'rivals' on the pitch, are Solari's other two 'victims'. Both treasure remarkable quality, but they do not know how to transform it into personal or collective success. This has seen the pair dropped from Madrid's recent sides. 

Malaga-born Isco and Mallorcan Asensio now rival each other for a place in the starting eleven, as they did before the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo. Bale's time on the sidelines left behind a place for a creative, attacking player, which both Isco and Asensio fulfilled. 

In the more important matches, Solari seems to prefer Ceballos or Lucas Vázquez, depending on the formation, which has seen both Isco and Asensio drop to the bench - something few expected at the beginning of the season.