Real Madrid: Will Luka Modric return against Atletico?
Luka Modric has been one of the biggest injuries of the season for Real Madrid, whose midfield has been stretched thin. But could he return in time for the huge derby game against Atletico Madrid?
After losing 3-0 to PSG in their Champions League opener, Real Madrid bounced back in a big way by defeating Sevilla 1-0 on the road. Coming into Matchday 5, Sevilla were atop the table, but Real played as a team and put in a much better defensive performance after showing weaknesses in three straight games.
Having center midfielder Luka Modric back would do wonders for solidifying Real in the middle of the park, potentially even on defense if he starts over Toni Kroos. Modric was criticized for not playing at a world-class level last season, but the Croatian is still regarded as one of the best midfielders in the world.
According to Tomas Roncero of AS, Modric is aiming to show manager Zinedine Zidane that he is ready to go on Saturday when Real Madrid face bitter rivals Atletico Madrid in a night-time derby game on the road.
Modric suffered a groin injury in the club’s first practice following the international break. It sounds like he is ready to make a return soon, as Roncero reports that he was held out of the squad against Osasuna in order to get him fully ready for the matchup with Atletico.
It would be a perfect return date for Modric when it comes to impact on the pitch, since Real will need all hands on deck for their away game against one of La Liga’s top three clubs. Games against Atletico always carry the utmost importance, and a win would conclude an up-and-down September with a huge momentum boost heading into October.
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Modric’s intelligence on the ball, box-to-box ability, and technical class would help Real Madrid in so many ways, and it will be exciting to see how he links up with the likes of James Rodriguez and Eden Hazard this season. Real will need to be careful with managing the veteran midfielder so that he doesn’t aggravate his injury, since that would be worse.
But if Modric can prove to Zidane that he’s fit, then he could be an X-Factor against the notoriously difficult and compact Atletico Madrid midfield. Real are playing their cards right by being cautious with the 34-year-old, but Zidane knows how much he would help the way Los Blancos match up on paper with their city rivals.