Without the BBC, Gareth Bale, Karim Benzema and talisman Cristiano Ronaldo, and with Kroos, Modric, Marcelo and Casemiro on the bench, Madrid came from behind twice to add three more points that see them top the table for another week.
Barcelona hosts Real Sociedad on Saturday, its first match since losing 3-0 at Juventus in the Champions League this week. Zidane said he wasn't sure if Bale would be ready next week to play Bayern in the return leg of the quarterfinal.
Madrid was on the verge of a second consecutive league draw when Isco drilled a right-footed shot from just outside the area between goalkeeper Ivan Cuellar and his post.
Isco also hailed Madrid's DNA to fight till the end, but accepted the European champions made life hard for themselves against relegation threatened Sporting.
Star striker Messi scored a brace in the first half to give his side the lead despite an own goal from Samuel Umtiti few minutes before half time. When we want everyone, they're there.
Though Real Madrid dominated possession from the start, creating good chances, it was Sporting that struck first.
Vesga then scored a looping header before Alvaro Morata levelled with his head and Isco got the 20-yard victor.
Modi announces $4.5 billion line of credit to Bangladesh, Teesta remains unresolved
A new passenger train service from Khulna to Kolkata through Petrapole in India and Benapole in Bangladesh was finalised. Terming Bangladesh Prime Minister Shiekh Hasina's visit to India as "exceptionally strong", Foreign Secretary S.
"Zidane makes the line-ups and is carrying the squad in an extraordinary way".
Sporting opened the scoring in the 14th minute when Mikel Vesga scooped a pass over Madrid's defence which Duje Cop slammed home, before Isco equalised three minutes later with a brilliant individual goal.
Now 24, Isco was supposed to be the future of Madrid's midfield when he transferred from Malaga in 2013.
The Spain international's future has been a source of constant speculation this season and he was recalled to Zinedine Zidane's first XI as one of nine changes from the Champions League win at Bayern Munich in midweek. "I've always said that I want to say here for many, many years I believe that the club and I will make the right decision", said Isco.
Yannick Carrasco's low strike and back-post header put Atletico comfortably ahead either side of half-time.
Osasuna's Salvatore Sirigu saved two late penalties by Carrasco and Thomas Partey.
Joselu Sanmartin and Pedro Mosquera scored to help Deportivo move away from the relegation zone.
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