After speculation that he might be available against Cagliari, Luka Modric now wants to bring forward his return to Sunday against Genoa.
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As La Gazzetta dello Sport recall, when Modric got injured against Juventus, the first thoughts in the Milan world were obviously about his health. Then, there was the realisation that his season could be over, which brought about a sense of panic.
In the next two games, his absence resulted in a disaster for Milan. Five goals conceded, two defeats, while his replacements Ardon Jashari and Samuele Ricci flopped. The team looked lost without him, and Modric is well aware.
Back ahead of time?
Massimiliano Allegri was pretty pessimistic on the eve of the Atalanta match, stating: “It’s almost impossible to see him on the pitch on the final day.” Yet, Luka seems to have different ideas.
Forget about Cagliari in the final round: Modric wants to try to make himself available against Genoa. He will undergo another medical test to assess the progress of his recovery. If all is going well, they’ll move on to creating a protective mask to apply to his face.
In short, he’d like to be able to at least sit on the bench right away at the Stadio Luigi Ferraris. But that’s just his wish: the medical staff will make the decision. It’s a clinical matter, meaning personal will isn’t enough.
Modric has seen his team struggle without him and wants to give his contribution. He actually visited the dressing room before the Atalanta match (and his still-swollen face didn’t go unnoticed), but sitting in the stands limits his influence.
If it were up to him, he would have been on the bench on Sunday night. This attitude speaks volumes about his desire to help Milan, a club where – if they qualify for the Champions League – he’s more likely to stay than not.