Photo: UEFA
Luka Modrić was given his dream move to Real Madrid in the summer, but many have said he has not lived up to his expectations at the Bernabeu.
But what exactly are Modrić’s expectations?
The 27 year-old is a magician in the midfield, setting tempo for his club while distributing pin-point passes all across the field. But with all the praise he receives for his technical dribbling and passing, the man is not a goal scorer. He attempts to fire away at frame but more times than not, opposing goalkeepers don’t even have to flinch as they pick up the mildly rolling ball as it slows in the grass. Goals are not what we should expect from Modrić.
However, the man does make everyone around him better, and it showed Tuesday night in Real Madrid’s closing Champions League group stage match versus Ajax, where they won 4-1.
Modrić tackle, pass to Benzema at 0:29, assist to Callejon 1:40
In the 13th minute, Modrić placed a beautiful slide tackle on Ajax captain Siem de Jong, stole the ball and sent a long down-field pass to Karim Benzema, keeping the French striker onside to feed a wide open Cristiano Ronaldo in front of net for the opening goal. In typical Modrić fashion, the Croatian star started the play which led to the goal, and although not receiving credit for the play, will receive a CroatianSports.com ‘gold star’ for is hockey assist.
Modrić was at it again in the 28th minute, feeding Jose Callejon with a looping pass from midfield all the way to the penalty box. Callejon calmly took the ball down and fired home to make it 2-0 Real Madrid. Modrić’s pass to the Spaniard was near perfect and will see him play more minutes if the Croatian can stay in this consistent form. This was more of a friendly for Los Galacticos as their position in Group D was already locked going into this fixture, even though they played a number of their stars.
Modrić received ‘Man of the Match’ honors and should see more of the same if he can dish the ball out like he did today. He’s only played in Spain for three full months, but it looks as if little Luka is heating up at just the right moment.
Livaja scores twice for Inter and Kalinic scores a pen for Dnipro
You couldn’t? I see it almost every week lol
I couldnt imagine seeing 200 BBB in a 50,000 seat stadium.
Nice to see Livaja scoring a couple of goals in Europe
My idea on how they sort this out:
Each league will provide statistics on their attendance for a number of years. UEFA will take that and break it down to the top 6 areas. 4 areas will hold Groups A-D.
The rest of the tournament (quarters, semis, final) will be held in the other 2 areas. I’m guessing England and Spain (possibly Germany) will hold these because they have the most attendance and the bigger stadiums.
They did for Euro 2004, Euro 2008, and Euro 2012.
It would probably be regionalised for each group. Say 6 groups of 4 teams. Each group plays 6 games in a 1st round in 3-4 different cities per region.
So games in Italy, Hungary, Croatia and Austria could be one region. Maybe Italy/Austria get 2 games and Hungary/Croatia each get one.
Other regions could be the UK, Scandanavia, the Baltics, etc..
I doubt UEFA is going just donate the money.
If UEFA wants to donate the funds to build a new stadium in Zagreb it makes perfect sense……
It makes no sense…….I doubt ZG would be one of the cities to get some games. But, if they were, it makes no sense to build a 50K- plus seat stadium to host a handful of games. if the savez could build it with private money, then fine. But, public funds should not be used for it.
Look at what took place in Split with that 12K indoor arena. Its in bankruptcy right now.
Galaxy baby
This makes more sense than hosting a World Cup in Qatar!
At least we will get a new stadium in Zagreb.
🙂
Its very cheap to travel around Europe, the issue becomes if UEFA is just going to pick the biggest cities in Europe than its going to be very expensive. Hotels will cost too damn much, jumping on a plane or a train will not be the issue, the 300-400 a night to sleep in a hotel room will kill the average fan from going. Imagine trying to get a hotel in London for some games, or Paris? Come on. They better have a process in place where some of the second tier cities will be given a chance, but I highly doubt that.
I really do not mind this, if anything it stops crappy host teams from getting in automatically, and might give some countries that would never get it a chance to show they can host a few games. Problem is it needs to be done right, can uefa make the right choices is the issue
There is only so much of Ziva Istina to go around.
The idiots at UEFA strike again. Today, they confirmed Euro 2020 will take place throughout Europe in a large number of cities. Why ruin something that works????
So, the fans get screwed again. Instead of going to one or two countries to follow your team throughout the tourney, you will now have to follow them around Europe. I know that ZG could be in the running to host first round matches (doubtfull), but I just don’t see how this benefits the average fan.
We need more like Ziva Istina and less like BlackZodiac
Ziva Istina speaks the truth.
@Croatia vs. Antwerp………not true. I believe in everything that I post. None of this is done to provoke. That’s on you guys and how you interpret the message.
@lika joey……you are correct, but I can seperate the two feelings. Nobody celebrated more than I did when he was released from prison. But, I am also not naive. I know what many of the military officials in high roles did after the war and how they made/stole money. Did Gotovina steal and do something corrupt after the war? I dodn’t know, but its not hard to envision him doing what many of the others did. I base that on his past and I base that one the house he is living in right now. My comments don’t tarnsih what he did on the battlefield, I only question his activities outside the military work environment.
I just caution people with their hero worship. It’s not healthy.
@ziva
I am not shocked by what you said. I said I don’t care what you think about Gotovina but dont celebrate him when he is released when you have tainted him as corrupt.
I too am familiar with his past and what other generals did- does that mean he stole money while he was a general or are you just making provocative assumptions?
@Ziva, who cares if Ante has a questionable past! Ante is a legend and should be respected for what he did for croatia.
“While some (Ziva’s Posts) are intelligent and debate worthy the majority are negative and just to provoke and look clever.”
I couldn’t have said it better myself.
@Davor………look at Gotovina’s history before he came back to Cro. Then you wouldn’t be so shocked as to what I wrote when you factor that in and then factor in what other former generals in the Cro army were able to get away with. Also, have you seen the house the he lives in now. Ever wonder where the money came from to build it.
Gotovina on the battle field was a perfect commander; no issues. But, he has a very questionable past. But, go ahead with your hero worship.
Mali navijač Evertona na dar pod bor dobio Nikicu Jelavića
http://is.gd/maBaWq
@Ziva
This is the comment (below) that made me stop worrying about Ziva’s posts. While some are intelligent and debate worthy the majority are negative and just to provoke and look clever.
“@Toni…..I’m sure his family is doing fine. He was a general in the Cro army, you better believe he was able to steal some money for his family.”
That was Ziva’s comment on Gotovina before he was released..
@Ziva- boli me kurac ako mislis da je Gotovina lopov , ma onda molim te suti i nemoj ga castit sada kad je slobodan
October 12, 2012 at 6:09 am
Sorry for the awful writing there. Trying to type from the phone is never fun.
@ziva
Agreed.
The way the media portrayed his expectations and move, he’s definitely underperforming.
On the other hand, I think it was you and a few others commented on his inability to make such an impact before the move to Real was complete.
Luka is a star, but I don’t see him ever fully taking the reigns with all those huge personalities on the team. He’ll be a hard worker, playmaker, and stay consistent as the year progresses. He’ll never be flashy enough to win the hearts of fans out there, though, because that’s just not his game…but that’s what the Spanish want.
@ JM,
I you watch the game you’ll agree with me and Adame. He was all over the pitch and making a lot nice runs and was passing well to make things happen.
Ok, so we had different expectations. Let me ask you this? Has Modric performed above or below the level that was placed on him by Real Madrid and Mourinho. I say he has not as of yet.
Phone cut out
From the ugly english style to a completrly different game in Spain. On top of that hes sharing time with ozil who has the highest number of assists in the top football leagues across the world. Really high expectations from you from a guy coming droma good Tottenham (team) to a star studded real madrid where youre looking at teammates who are more concerned with their individual accomlishments over the team.
@ziva
To expect that Modric is supposed to come into Real Madrid and command the midfield is foolish and unrealistic. Not only are you looking at a team with huuuuge personalities, but youre also looking at a full bench of capable mids that will be in constant rotation. You also have the fact that Modric is switching from the ufly English style to
@ jm Goal.com sucks they have sometimes the dumbest ratings they dont know football
@ mishko and @ adame
Goal.com gave him a very poor rating. only 2 stars:
Ivan Perisic
Hit one dipping volley that required saving, but was otherwise inconsistent. Seems to have the ability in spades but rarely sprinted, or seemed to fully apply himself while on the pitch.
As always, I’m a big perisic fan and i also didn’t watch the game, so not sure what to think. interesting to here a different take
Perisic looked really good yesterday against man city.
He played very well yesterday….in fact he was outstanding. I think he needs to play at that level and I think that is what was expected from him. He wasn’t purchased to be a “role player” as someone posted a few days ago. He was purchased to command the MF.
His outstanding performances have been grealty outweighed so far this season with average, to below average, performances. I don’t think anyone can suggest otherwise.
he is not a bust. mourinho needs to play all his midfielders (ex: kaka) to give them exposure before he transfers them out in january. otherwise, their value is much lower. wait until the january window when mourinho makes some more room in midfield by clearing a player or two out and i think we will see him playing more consistently…..at least i hope so
yesterday’s game helps. i know it was an unofficial “friendly” but he still played well. all you can ever do is play the team put in front on you. let’s give him credit for his play….bravo luka!
Anyone watch Persic play yesterday? He looked really really good.
.
Barcelona, Juve, Shaktar, Dortmund are the only clubs that do NOT need Modric.
Chelsea, Man City, Arsenal DESPERATELY need Modric.
PSG, Bayern etc…would win the CL with Modric.
Modric is world class. You don’t have to be the best player at Madrid to be considered world class.
We have seen Modric score with Spurs when they needed it. At Real he will get a chance now and again and hopefully he can be decisive. Ironic that his skill set is highly valued at Barca and only somewhat valued at Madrid.
The reality is the EPL is over rated. There are many “top” EPL players that would not see the light of day for Real Madrid.
Again for me I like him to not play every game in every competition. He will be fresh in March when play for all the marbles.
Bravo Majstore !
I dont think Modric is a bust. Real Madrid is the crème de la crème. Give him time boys. Modric might not be “world class” but Modric makes world class plays like today assisting on the second real madrid goal.
@Bobby V,
I wouldnt put Modric on that list quite yet. Luka has 2 world cups and a euro left in him if Croatia qualifies and he remains healthy. Modric has just reached his prime. Lets see what he can do in the next 3 years until his dirty-thirty.
If anything, there is a prejudice that an Eastern European player could never be considered elite. Ferenc Puskas, Gheorge Hagi, Hristo Stoichkov, Davor Suker, Dragan Stojkovic, Zvonimir Boban, Pavel Nedved, Zbigniew Boniek, Andriy Shevchenko, Dejan Savicevic, Oleg Blokhin, Robert Prosinecki, Kaz Deyna, Dragan Dzajic and now Luka Modric – all brilliant, all elite.
Ide Luka