Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari reponds to Isco complaints: 'In football you have to work'

Real Madrid boss Santiago Solari has aimed a thinly-veiled dig at disgruntled star Isco, suggesting the Spanish midfielder needs to work harder if he is to return to the starting line-up.

Isco has been out of favour under Solari, having not started a single LaLiga game since former manager Julen Lopetegui was sacked.

On Thursday, Isco took to Twitter, claiming he did not ‘enjoy the same opportunities’ as his teammates, in response to criticism from former Real man Ruben De La Red.

However, when asked about the situation ahead of Saturday’s Madrid derby, Solari said: "A professional footballer has to do his work, which is to train 100 per cent to be ready to play.

"In football, you have to work and put all your talent into everything.

"You have to do that in training so you are available to play."

The main beneficiary of Isco’s omission has been teenager winger Vinicius Junior, who expected to start against Atletico at the Wanda Metropolitano.