Five reasons Real Madrid is struggling

Luka Modric is very tired

Luka Modric left it all on the pitch during the World Cup. The Croatian national team comfortably played more minutes than any other World Cup team last summer with their midfield leading them all the way to the final.

Modric has already played 1388 minutes so far this season and, at 33 years old, his fatigue is beginning to show on the pitch.

Against Alavés, Modric always seemed one step off the pace and looked a shadow of his usual self. Normally such a safe hand in possession, Modric recorded six giveaways against the Basques on Saturday, the most of any Madrid player.

Modric’s lack of rest recently is mainly down to injuries and the departure of Mateo Kovacic. Without Kovacic, Lopetegui doesn’t have a natural replacement for Modric and it’s beginning to become clear why the Spanish manager pursued Thiago this summer.

With the breakout of Dani Ceballos as a Madrid player (he leads the key passes chart so far) and the impending return of Isco, Modric should get some more rest as the season wears on, however, there is no doubt that not having their number 10 up to full speed has hurt Real Madrid’s attack.