Isco and James Rodriguez were the conspicuous absences of Real Madrid's 2-2 draw against Valencia, with their replacement, Mateo Kovacic, being the man to earn a red card and kill his club's chances at taking over the game.

Both Rodriguez and Isco seem to have a tricky relationship with Coach Rafa Benitez, per previous reports by Managing Madrid  and Bleacher Report, and this is creating some instability in the locker room.

More importantly, it is killing Madrid's ability to become a true attacking force. The defense for Los Blancos has taken a hit in recent weeks and Keylor Navas has fallen back to earth a bit, but the reality is that Madrid is not scoring big goals in key moments.

Creating More Goal Opportunities Than Last Year

Madrid is getting more chances on goal this season in La Liga, averaging 20 shots per game as opposed to 18 in 2015-16, but the uptick in shots on target is not proportional. Madrid has 7.9 shots on target this season, just 0.5 shots up from last season's 7.4 despite getting two shots at goal more per game.

That on some level could come down to the diminished playtime of the duo, which are among the best key passes on the team. Key passes are usually defined by passes that lead directly to scoring chances, shots on goal, or are right around the penalty area. Rodriguez is the best key passer at Madrid, with an average of 3.3, up from his 2.7 last season when he was one of the best in Europe in that statistical category. Key passing is also the mark of creativity, which is something that the team lacks without Rodriguez on the field.

Isco is fifth on the team in key passes, but his most vital contribution to the club comes from his dribbling. He is the second best dribbler on the club, averaging 1.5 dribbles per game. He can leave defenders in his wake and destabilize opposing defenses, thus opening up space to create his key passes for other teammates.

With Rodriguez in the starting lineup, Madrid has seven wins and two defeats. With Isco in the fray as a starter, the team has a record of 11 wins, four draws and one defeat in all competitions.

Conversely, Kovacic, for all the good he does, is not a standout in any offensive category for Los Blancos and on numbers alone, should not be starting over either.

Strategy Woes and the Problem

Of course many will point out that playing these players in the midfield will cause the team to be defensively unbalanced. There has been a lot of criticism aimed at starting Rodriguez in a formation that includes Toni Kroos and Luka Modric in the midfield. The problem comes down to Rafa Benitez trying to accommodate Gareth Bale in the middle of the pitch. It has helped the Welshman find his game and he has been terrific of late, but not without a cost.

With Bale in the middle, Isco and Rodriguez are relegated to a wing position, where neither can put in his best shift. As attacking threats, they are less likely to track back and cannot be trusted to fill in defensively in the middle when Bale moves forward. A year ago, Carlo Ancelotti got the most of out Isco and Rodriguez because the latter was sitting in the middle in a free role with defensive duties while the latter was given free reign to attack but also had defending responsibilities. They fulfilled those responsibilities admirably and Madrid soared. Moreover, both players could interchange positions at time for offensive strategy and that unleashed their creativity.

Any Direction?

Right now they are stuck on an island and easy to shut down.

Bale suffered the same fate last season as well signaling two things. Madrid needs a true right winger to fill in that gap. Moreover it is clear that neither Isco or Rodriguez can thrive in Madrid at the same time. One will likely have to go. However there is one possibility and it is one that few will like.

Cristiano Ronaldo, for all of his goalscoring, has not been the effective player of years past. His goal scoring conversion rate is far below his career average. His ability to create chances and get shots on goal has dipped and his dribbling ability has all but dissipated.

Putting Bale on the wing should unlock his abilities as he is a natural from the left side. That will open up a spot for either Rodriguez or Isco to sit in the hole while the other flourishes in the middle of the pitch alongside Modric and Kroos. Rodriguez would then have a free role off the right wing, constantly alternating with Isco, allowing Los Blancos to capitalize on two young players that are on the cusp of entering their best years.

This is of course now the responsibility of Zinedine Zidane and his coaching staff, but it might be a crucial change of direction for the team to get it out the mediocrity that has stood for far too long.

Failure to do so will lead to the continued failure of Real Madrid.