Real Madrid: 5 stars and 2 flops from an eventful January

Star: CM Luka Modric

There’s no doubt, Luka Modric is Real Madrid’s most in-form player to start the New Year. He was Real Madrid’s brightest spot in an embarrassing defeat to the neighboring Getafe side and he continued his golden form into the game against Valencia. Not to forget he hit the woodwork in both these games and he had to wait until the final of the Supercopa de Espana for his goal.

Modric moved onto the Supercup campaign and continued his phenomenal work rate through the two games. His display against Los Leones in the final was especially one to remember for a long time. It also included a beautiful shot from a Rodrygo assist that was the opener in the game. The Basque Club could never come into the game and Luka continued to be a big reason behind Real Madrid’s first title win of the season.

Modric was again called into action in the weekend by a visiting Elche side that eyed redemption to their Copa loss in midweek. And, Modric didn’t disappoint. After Karim Benzema walked off in the second half, he took on the captain’s armband and led the white army by example.

He converted his first penalty in a Real Madrid shirt as calmly as possible and then during the dying embers, he was the most advanced midfielder and was running relentlessly at the defense. At 36 years of age, he continues to be the best player of the month in a squad full of youngsters. The maestro deserves tremendous respect and comparing him to anyone else is an insult.

The goalkeepers too were impressive for Real Madrid in January. Though most of the goals Real Madrid conceded weren’t due to their goalkeeper’s fault, they still do not come as close as these players on the list. But, both Thibaut Courtois and Andriy Lunin were stars for Los Blancos in Januray. Courtois especially had a big intervention in keeping out a penalty in the final of the Supercup.