Luka Modric played an incredible match against Barcelona being a very important player for Los Blancos. The Croatian midfielder was a key player in the midfield, especially in the first half, where we could saw him in an unusual position. Zidane decided the Modric should be the “stopper” Real Madrid needed. Casemiro was not 100%, and the French manager decided to let him on the bench and play with a midfield with Modric, Kovacic and Isco. Modric played in a more defensive position as he usually plays and he was the the player that connected the defense with the attack.
He played in a positions that reminded the one he usually plays with his national team. Modric first half was incredible, he did not fail any pass in the first 45 minutes. He tried 34 passes and all of them finished in their destination. We must highlight the good defensive effort Modric did with Casemiro’s absence. The midfielder made six steals and did not let Barça pass the ball with facility.
In the second half, with Casemiro’s entrance, Modric played in a position a bit more offensive and he did not defend as well as in the first one. However, the Croatian midfielder did two more steals in the match and he finished with a total of 8, which left him as the second players with more steals only surpassed by Varane. Modric finished the match with 59 of 62 passes completed, or what is the same a 95.2% of correct passes.
Modric finished the match a bit tired and in the last minutes we saw him disappeared, nevertheless he had a bit of energy to contribute in Real Madrid’s goal. As happened in Lisbon, Modric made a great cross that once again Sergio Ramos finished it with a great header in the 89th minute. This goal gave the draw to Los Blancos and maintain the distance of six points respect Barcelona.
