Real Madrid: 5 players who must shine against Villarreal

CM Luka Modric

Luka Modric might be Real Madrid’s most in-form player right now, which is high praise considering how well players like Thibaut Courtois, Sergio Ramos, and Karim Benzema are playing. But in the last three games, Modric has been bossing midfielders. Without him, Real wouldn’t have posted gritty wins over Athletic Bilbao at San Mames and Granada at Los Carmenes.

The Croatian legend is 34 years old but is still one of the most effective midfielders in Europe. He recorded an assist for Benzema against Granada. Per WhoScored.com, Modric has five key passes, 11 fouls drawn, and a whopping 14 dribbles completed in his last four games.

Defenders and opposing midfielders simply can’t touch him, as Modric is weaving his magic and carrying the ball up the pitch for Real Madrid, playing an unsung but crucial role in the way Real both dominate games and begin chance creation.

Modric will go up against Andre-Frank Zambo Anguissa of Villarreal on Thursday, and he’ll need to be at his best against a center midfielder who is capable of bossing games in his own right. Anguissa has been so good that he may even be an option for Los Blancos in a future transfer window.