Real Madrid's injury situation has turned into a crisis with the recent news that Gareth Bale will be out for a few matches. Add Sergio Ramos' dislocated shoulder on top of James Rodriguez and Danilo's own injuries, and the team suddenly has a lot less depth than it did to start the year.

Bale and Rodriguez leave a huge hole up front that will have been filled in by Spanish star Isco. The Spaniard was seen as the outsider looking in heading into the season (despite a phenomenal preseason), and now the pressure will be on him to become the creative engine offensively.

Isco thrives on making silky short passes in the offensive third, and being in the hole provides him with that ability to spark his creative flow. However, he lacks something that both Bale and Rodriguez brought spades of to the offense: pace.

It is not an unfamiliar sight to see Isco hold onto the ball for too long, wait to make a pass or attempt a dribble and then become dispossessed. According to WhoScored.com, on average Isco has been dispossessed 2.3 times per game over his career. Compare that with Bale's career average of 1.3. Rodriguez also averages 1.3. Consider this: Bale is expected to run head on at defenders and look for scoring chances. So seeing him lose the ball more often than not is not unusual.

One could make the argument that Bale sees a lot less of the ball per game than Isco so that would account for the statistics. That might be a fair argument.

However, how do you account for Rodriguez's superior statistics in that respect? Rodriguez plays virtually the same position as Isco.

It has everything to do with what these players are doing with the ball. Rodriguez is quick on the counter as is Bale. Both players move the ball north and south, and they are decisive with their passes. Just see Bale's three assists this season to witness how direct he is with his play. Ditto with Rodriguez who had 17 goals and 15 assists a year ago. Isco has never come close to those statistics. He is not expected to, but he will need to turn into more a provider in Real Madrid's quick attacking formation.

The time is now for the Spaniard to make his presence felt. A failure to do so might leave him back on the bench. Madrid might play a possession game, but when it comes to attacking, the team moves the ball quickly. He will need to do the same or it will be back to the bench when Rodriguez and Bale are ready to return.