Gareth Bale missed Saturday's El Clasico due to injury but his impact on the field has been decent since making his move last summer, scoring key goals as Real Madrid won the Copa del Rey and the Champions League.
But according to ESPN writer Dermot Corrigan, Bale is still very much taking baby steps when it comes to settling into Spanish life.
"He's still never really been accepted by the fans. He just comes and goes. He doesn't really talk to anyone around the club and there's a feeling that the fans and the pundits would prefer not to have Bale in the team. His injury maybe came at a happy enough time for Ancelotti who's able to leave him out," said Corrigan who also added that Bale appears to "live in his own bubble around Madrid" and is still finding difficulties with the language, although he seems happy with the situation.
In contrast Isco is popular with Real Madrid's infamously demanding fanbase. He played a starring role as Real beat Barcelona 3 - 1 on Saturday and Corrigan explained why this victory is more significant than recent Clasico wins for the capital club.
"There have been a good few Clasicos where Madrid have beaten Barcelona but usually they get stuck in and they kind of kick them and play all their big guys in midfield. This was Madrid playing football with guys like Isco and James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos in the centre of the park, playing really nice football and beating Barcelona at their own game."
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