ISCO has denied reports of a dressing room divide at Real Madrid after bouncing back from the 4-0 defeat to Atletico with victory over Deportivo La Coruna.
Madrid suffered the crushing defeat to their city rivals last weekend, with star man Cristiano Ronaldo then criticised for throwing a 30th birthday party after the game.
However, Carlo Ancelotti’s side recovered from a tumultuous week as goals from Isco and Karim Benzema secured a comfortable if unimpressive home win on Saturday.
But the Spain midfielder says their muted display was to be expected given the last seven days and added that the playing squad are all pulling in the right direction.
“It was down to sporting reasons,” the 22-year-old told reporters. “It was difficult after the rout last week.
“What the press are saying isn’t true: the unity in the dressing room is magnificent.
“After the drubbing it’s been good to fix things with a dose of humility and this team knows how to come back from tough situations.
“Together we’ll move forward with more strength than ever. Indeed, I think the team has to keep growing in confidence for what’s coming up.
“It was an odd game, tense from the start, but together we can keep pushing forward to get to a better place, and to play better.
“With hard work and the enthusiasm of everyone we can do it.”
Isco opened the scoring at Depor with a fine finish and he was one of the few Madrid players cheered throughout the game in the Spanish capital.
“They always sing for me,” the former Malaga man said. “I try to earn it on the pitch doing what I can.
“I’m grateful to the fans for the strength they give me with their songs.”
Isco, who is enjoying the best spell of his Madrid career to date, now has his eyes firmly set on the first leg of the Champions League last-16 clash with Schalke at the Veltins-Arena on Wednesday night.
“It’s a tough ground, but we’re Madrid and we’ll give it everything to win,” the attacking midfielder added.