Isco targets improvement from Real Madrid

The 21-year-old's late header sealed victory in the club's first match of the season against Betis, but knows his side will need to step up their game

Real Madrid attacker Isco says they must improve despite their narrow 2-1 victory over Betis.

The summer recruit from Malaga nodded home late in the game to get los Blancos off to a winning start after Jorge Molina had put the visitors in front before Karim Benzema's equaliser.

Isco admitted that he had been “surprised” by the level of performance displayed by Betis, but insisted that his side will improve as the season continues.

“I’m happy with the win, we started with a victory at home and now we must continue along the same lines,” the playmaker told Canal+.

“It’s my first goal I’ve put in with my head in my first game but I’m happy about taking all three points as well.

“It’s the first league game, we’ll have to improve a lot, but we’ve just started and we’ve added three points,” he stated, acknowledging that his late goal was vital in making sure Carlo Ancelotti’s side don’t lose any early ground to rivals Barcelona, who thrashed Levante 7-0.

While happy to talk on the victory though, the Spain Under-21 star would not be drawn on questions surrounding the omission of Iker Casillas, with Diego Lopez continuing in goal.

He said: “That is a decision of the coach. The important thing is the victory.”