4. How does Luka Modric keep doing it?
Luka Modric is one of the greatest midfielders of this generation, and he has a Ballon d’Or trophy to back it up. But even if he didn’t controversially win that award in 2018, Modric would still be known as one of the greats for his all-around work defensively, as a ball-carrier, and as a playmaker. In the year 2020 at the age of 34 with probably one year left in his career with Real, Modric is still among the best in the league.
On a hot day with an early kickoff at San Mames against one of the most physical sides in Europe, Modric put on one of his best performances of the season. Without Modric turning up the heat to match the temperatures in Bilbao, Real Madrid wouldn’t have won this game. Plain and simple. He and Eder Militao were the men of the match.
According to WhoScored.com, Modric won four dribbles and three fouls, completed 90 percent of his passes, and attempted a total of 62 passes. He never stopped running throughout the 90 minutes, providing Real Madrid with the engine they needed in midfield alongside Casemiro. The two outworked Bilbao’s defense-minded midfield.
Modric hasn’t been one of the biggest stars for Real Madrid this season, but he’s always stepped it up in big games and has been an indispensable part of the team due to his motor and well-rounded play.