Real Madrid: 5 players who are crucial for a title push

3. Luka Modric

Much like Toni Kroos, Luka Modric is a second recurring name in terms of Los Blancos’s senior players in Midfield. The Croatian has been in the heart of most of Real Madrid’s moves this season. And, for a title push, it must remain the same way.

Modric does a lot more than any regular midfielder for Real Madrid. He is an absolute genius during possessive buildup plays. Moreover, his pressing has been brilliant this season. He has helped retrieve the ball out of opposition press and release it to the right places to get his team in front. Though a short and quiet presence on the field, Modric’s importance to this side is beyond description. He is a silent worker whose work speaks much louder.

Modric has appeared in 27 of 28 games for Real Madrid in the league this season. Of this 27, only 3 times he came on as a substitute. This goes to say how important this man’s presence is for Zidane’s side. He has found the net on three occasions and has three assists to his name, per Whoscored.

Moreover, he has been in inspired form lately. To give you an idea, his last MOTM performance was in the UCL Round of 16 second leg against Atalanta, which was Real’s second latest outing in all competitions. His presence of mind combined with Sportiello’s error made the first goal possible for Benzema. He maintained a passing accuracy of over 90% in a total of 98 passes which included two long balls.

The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner needs to put up his A-game in all upcoming league fixtures. The momentum being with him, it doesn’t seem to be a long ask. Modric may just find Los Blancos inside the box for a top-of-the-table league finish.