Luka Modric was back in the AC Milan side for last night’s game against Roma, and he provided a reminder of his quality.
As MilanNews recall, in the Eternal City, Modric reminded everyone why he has reigned supreme in football for so long. At 40, the Croatian played another excellent game full of hard work, grit but also technical ability.
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He became the oldest player to have provided at least three assists in the ‘top five’ European leagues this season. What’s more, he’s only the second player – after Zlatan Ibrahimovic in 2021-22 – to provide two assists in a Serie A season after turning 40. He might not be done yet, either.
A complete performance
The match was tough, especially in terms of character required. Modric himself admitted it after the game with a degree of honesty: “We started well, then Roma dominated, and Maignan saved us.”
In the first 45 minutes, the Giallorossi pushed hard. Amidst all that chaos, however, he was always there. Modric anticipated many situations, clearing the box and being in the right place at the right time. Without his presence, the outcome could have been very different.
In the second half, Milan improved slightly, creating chances and only conceding an unfortunate penalty. However, Modric looks ahead with clarity: the Scudetto is a tough mission, Inter are ahead, but the unbeaten streak continues.
This is the Croatian’s strength: reading the game and the season, with the same intelligence with which he controls the pitch. ‘Class, intelligence and quality’: Milan are lucky to have a leader like him.
It’s a pity that at his age, he plays in a system where he has to defend for the most part of the game. Imagine this guy in a possession based system where all he had to do was dictate the play and feed the strikers and wingers.
Exactly! His talent goes wasted in Allegri’s “tactics” (I’m not sure relying on pure luck & Mike’s miracle saves for 60 minutes every week counts as a tactic but here we are.)
One of his best peformances this season and that’s saying a lot, because he’s had at best three or four bad games. I hope he decides to stay for another reason, even with playing time expected to be reduced for obvious reasons.
Then again, we have to prepare a plan B and have Jashari more often on the pitch even for that reason alone.
Let’s not even think about Modric leaving after this season. It’s a depressing thought… Imagine this squad without him. We’d be fighting for the last Europa League spot if even that.
Because of him and Rabiot, we have so many more points compared to last season! I’m also a little sorry that with 40 years on his back he has to spend so much on defense, but he is a complete player and he certainly won’t complain about that.
Without them, we’d finish 8th again.