The international break can be hugely problematic for major teams.

They are putting massive investments in the proverbial line of fire every few months, where one knock could sideline key players for weeks on end. World Cup Qualifiers or other tournament qualifiers could potentially make the trips justifiable, but to lose a player to a friendly is rather painful.

That has happened to Real Madrid with two losses in their starting lineup. First up is Danilo with a foot injury. He won the starting spot as right full back, and his pace, size, strength and offensive instincts have been huge thus far for Los Blancos. Fortunately, Dani Carvajal is just about on the same level and will fit in seamlessly to try to reclaim a top spot.

The other loss incurred was crueler. During an international friendly against Peru, James Rodríguez suffered an injury that has turned out to be a muscle tear. His time for recovery is currently unknown, and the team will have to make do without him.

A star-powered squad like Los Blancos should have no issues, subbing in the likes of Isco, but the reality is that Rodríguez might be the catalyst of Madrid's team.

This is no disrespect to Isco, a young player who is arguably the team's best dribbler and knows how to make a deft pass in tight spaces. He is a player of great creativity and should help Madrid continue unlocking opposing defenses.

However, he is nowhere near as versatile as Rodríguez. Isco has never put 17 goals in the net in a season; Rodriguez did it in his first crack at Madrid's lineup. The Spaniard is simply not a goalscorer in the way the Colombian is. Isco is not a great free kick taker, and he sure won't be launching volleys into the net from outside the penalty area. He can score, but not at the rate Rodríguez does.

He can certainly assist and create plays, but he lacks the long-range passing of Rodríguez. It is rare to see Isco create a goal the way Rodríguez did on Madrid's first tally of the season against Real Betis.

Finally, and most importantly, Isco is not at his best on the wing. Rodríguez has shown that he can make do in a wing position, despite being best in the hole behind a forward. Isco can do the same well, but everyone knows he is at his finest when he is in the middle of the pitch, finding space with terrific short passes. Unfortunately, he is going to be marginalized at Madrid in coming weeks, with Gareth Bale occupying the middle of the pitch. Time will tell if this works out for the Welshman, but Isco would be the better option in that spot, freeing up Bale to run up and down the pitch and creating space with his speed.

Isco is simply not as dynamic when pushed to the sides, his outlets becoming limited, and thus his effectiveness on the ball also taking a hit.

Isco has a lot to prove in coming weeks, assuming that he becomes Rodríguez's replacement.