Age-defying Luka Modric in Top Form for Real Madrid, Receives Praise on All Sides

Daniela Rogulj

July 14, 2020 – The captain of the Croatian national football team, Luka Modric, played all 90 minutes in Real Madrid’s away victory against Granada, which was a pertinent win in their fight for the Spanish title.

HRT writes that two rounds before the end of the championship, Real is four points ahead of Barcelona, and in three days in Madrid, they will have the opportunity to secure the 34th Spanish title by winning against Villarreal.

Luka Modric received special praise for his first half against Granada, in which he conducted the game from the midfield, served his teammates accurately, and was timely in defense.

“Where the greats fall and score hard, he assisted two goals in the first 15 minutes. Zidane placed him behind Benzema and placed Casemiro as a guard for the Croat and the winger. This proved to be a complete hit as Granada spent the first half hour, during which Real scored both goals to win, hunting for shadows. Modric led the game from foot to foot, and by circling the ball quickly and precisely, he made for an elusive opponent,” Marca wrote about Modric’s play against Granada.

Along with Courtois, Ramos and Benzema, Modric received three stars for his performance.

“The veteran was the best among the penalty areas. He entered the game brilliantly, which he proved by assisting both of Real’s early goals. He was great with and without the ball. In the second half, when he was expected to fall under the pressure of years (34), he read the game best and was characterized by freshness. He looks great and is definitely back,” added Marca.

“Modric may not be in the form he was in 2018 when he won the Ballon d’Or, but he is not far away. The 34-year-old played the game as in his best days at the Estadio Nuevo Los Carmenes and may have pushed the decision of the Real Board of Directors. If his contract is not extended next year, he will leave Real,” Marca wrote in an article entitled, “Someone should give Modric a new contract .. and quickly”. 

Similarly, AS wrote that Modric was Real’s best player, especially in the first half:

“He looked impressive and brilliant in every action with the ball in his feet. We are talking about a man who is practically 35 years old, but obviously has inexhaustible energy. “

Real coach Zinedine Zidane gave Modric a slightly more offensive role in this match, the Croatian captain played right behind Karim Benzema.

To read more about sport in Croatia, follow TCN’s dedicated page

 

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