Real Madrid and the Spanish national team will be without Isco, one of the most in form players for club and country, for their upcoming matches.
The Malaga-born midfielder is suffering from appendicitis and has undergone surgery, which will require a recovery period of close to a month.
He will miss at least four matches for Madrid and two for Spain.
Los Blancos will have to do without Isco in the most demanding period of the season so far, with this week’s matches against Sevilla and Atletico Madrid providing their first real test in the league.
On October 2, they travel to Russia to face CSKA Moscow in the second Champions League match and four days later visit the Estadio Mendizorroza in the final league match before the international break.
Luis Enrique will not be able to call Isco up for the friendly against Wales or the Nations League match against England in Real Betis’ stadium.
After the international break, Real will welcome Levante to the Spanish capital, a fixture that Isco hasn’t yet been ruled out of.
It would have to be a smooth and speedy recovery, but, October 20 could be the Spaniard’s first chance to get some minutes under his belt.
The main objective, however, is to get Isco ready for the final week in October, when Madrid host Viktoria Plzen and then visit the Camp Nou for El Clasico.
The alternatives
What will Julen Lopetegui’s plan be without Isco?
The Real Madrid coach loses a player who can play either in the three man midfield or higher up, behind Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema.
A versatile, in-form player and natural replacement would be Dani Ceballos – he will be Lopetegui’s first option.
Perhaps more sensible though would be to play the old guard in important matches like the Madrid derby, going with Casemiro, Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in midfield with Marco Asensio, Bale and Benzema up front.
Also, players like Lucas Vazquez and Mariano will be given more chances to play whilst Los Blancos wait for their magician to return.