Browse Tag

MODRIC

Luka Modric is the latest midfielder to come out in support of manager Zinedine Zidane

Luka Modric is the latest midfielder to come out in support of manager Zinedine Zidane, who has been appointed as a replacement for Rafa Benitez.

The Spaniard lasted less than seven months in charge of the job, which is deemed as one of the most political in the world. Right from the start, Benitez did not seem to have the confidence and faith of the entire squad. Apart from a couple of players like Gareth Bale, the former Liverpool manager struggled to command respect. This meant that he was going to be out of the job at the slightest disappointment in results.

It did not take long for the disappointments to arrive. He was quickly out of the job only to be replaced by Zidane, who has been groomed for this role even when Carlo Ancelotti was the boss. The Real Madrid legend may have walked into a job with little managerial experience, but he appears to have the respect of the entire team without any doubt. Zidane started his managerial career with a 5-0 win over Deportivo la Coruna. The opposition may have been winless in the last three matches, but it was a crucial win for the team. Modric was one of the starters in the match and he expressed his full support for the new boss. Keep Reading

Javier Mascherano saw his Argentina national team suffer more disappointment

Javier Mascherano saw his Argentina national team suffer more disappointment in the final of a major tournament.

After going into the Copa America 2015 as the favourites to lift the title, Argentina suffered a disappointment in the final hurdle after losing on penalties to Chile. This was the second consecutive disappointment faced by the national team after having lost to Germany in the final of the World Cup just 12 months ago. Mascherano is used to winning trophies on a consistent basis at Barcelona. Hence, to be the runners up in successive major tournaments is hard to take for the defender.

Lionel Messi has never won a major title with Argentina apart from the Olympics medal. Prior to the final against Chile, Messi was speaking about the importance of not being known as the nearly team. Argentina have not won a major title for almost 25 years. Their barren run in the World Cup stretches beyond this period. Despite the presence of big names like Sergio Aguero and Messi, Argentina were unable to break the deadlock in the game finished as a 0-0 draw. Argentina then went on to score only one of the penalties while Chile had four successful attempts. Keep Reading

Luka Modric desperate to get back in Football

Former Tottenham midfielder Luka Modric says that he cannot wait to get back into the pitch after recovering sufficiently from his injury problems. The Croatian man has been a major absentee in the Madrid midfield over the last few months.

He was heavily linked with a return back to the Premier League during the summer – despite being in the best form of his life – but it appears that he is certain to stay at Madrid for the upcoming years. He recently posted a message saying that the club can look forward to seeing him on the pitch sooner rather than later.

Due to the incredible squad strength, Carlo Ancelotti has not really missed Modric except in a few matches. The club also signed Lucas Silva from Brazilian outfit Cruzeiro in the January transfer window for close to £ 10 million. Keep Reading

Carlo Ancelotti expects Luka to get back to Training soon

Carlo Ancelotti says that he expects midfielder Luka Modric to start training in one month with a potential return date set at the start of February.

The Croatian midfielder has been sidelined for the last few weeks after sustaining an injury while on international duty. This injury has introduced some misunderstanding between Real Madrid and Croatia boss Niko Kovac. Even though Modric sustained his injury in an important Euro 2016 qualifying match against Italy, Ancelotti reckons that the 29 year old could have been monitored properly. Kovac, on the other hand, has suggested that Madrid have not provided Modric enough rest and have used him in every match.

Putting behind those issues, Real Madrid are expecting the midfielder to start training in the middle of January. Ancelotti says that the player is recovering well, but a scan tomorrow will probably reveal the true extent of the recovery he has made. Modric has been in superior form over the last 18 months. He contributed heavily for the club’s Champions League winning team, while this season he has scored one goal and created two goals in 10 league appearances. In his absence, Ancelotti has had to depend on players like Asier Illarramendi, who are not seen as first-team regulars.

“Until now he’s been having physiotherapy.His scars are healing well. Tomorrow he’ll have a scan and then another one at the end of the year.Things have gone well until now. He won’t be back soon, but he will start training in the middle of January,” said Ancelotti. Madrid have set a new record of 20 consecutive victories in all competitions. They have managed to do this even without the services of Modric and one expects the club to improve even more upon the return of the Croatian midfielder. Ancelotti has ruled out new signings in January.