The guy does it all. Luka Modrić played all 90 minutes as Real Madrid defeated Atalanta 3-1 (4-1 agg) to reach the Champions League quarterfinals. Modrić assisted on Real’s first goal in an extremely tight first half when a poor Atalanta down field ball headed straight to the Croatian. 90% of players in the world would have taken the tight-angled shot, but instead, Modrić cooly slipped the ball to Benzema for the opener.
It was an extremely unselfish move and got Real Madrid heading in the right direction as the goal made it 2-0 on aggregate. Atalanta never got within striking distance after nearly scoring early in the first half.
Modrić adds to his legacy and is currently the only Croatian in the CL quarterfinals. Kovačić or Vrsaljko will join him tomorrow.
Modrić Assist
What else can you say about Luka Modrić?
At 35 years old he, is carrying a Real Madrid side – alongside Karim Benzema – through Champions League and inching back in the La Liga title race; only six points behind leaders Atletico now.
Modrić was rested at the weekend but did come on in the 60th minute to supply a game-tying assist to Benzema. Real Madrid won it late.
With Eden Hazard essentially picking up an injury every time he laces up the boots, it really shows what kind of endurance, strength, and drive Modrić has late in his career. Tuesday night in Madrid, Real take on Atalanta in the 2nd leg of their Champions League Round of 16 affair with the reigning Spanish champions already winning in Italy 1-0.
Real Madrid have their all-important away goal so a draw or victory Tuesday will see them book a spot in the CL quarterfinals. The only Croatians left in CL this season are Modrić, Atalanta’s Mario Pašalić, Chelsea’s Mateo Kovačić, and Atletico’s Šime Vrsaljko.
Two Croatians are guaranteed to play in the quarters, but who? The favorites right now are Modrić and Kovačić.
Remember, a Croatian has lifted the CL trophy every year since 2013. Can Modrić rally the troops once again?
He talked a good talk for a minute. But when push comes to shove…
Lol, the white separatist doesn’t want none of Armada87, that’s telling!
@ Anon
“Buttercup” is a term of endearment, pal. Speaking of derogatory terms, “chinaman” is a derogatory term. Don’t be a racist.
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Happy to come to nothern NJ (where I DON’T live, actually) and call you buttercup right to your face. If you have the nuts to share your email on here, we can coordinate a time and place.
China invented football.
@ARMADA87, just one more question I promise, since you’re the one who called me a derogatory name over the internet simply b/c I asked you to explain your own statement, would you like to meet in a public place and say that to my face? I live in Northern New Jersey as you do.
@ARMADA87, I’m not afraid of the truth and I’m not a douchebag, if you explain something to me that I can’t refute, I won’t pretend it’s not true. You’re the same way right?
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Since you’re so good at math, honest and willing to answer a simple question, can you please clarify another mathematical question I have?
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I’m not the most knowledgeable person in the world, but I’m fairly certain that practically ever great invention from the human race can be traced to a person who had/has white skin, so what is the mathematical probability that “race is just skin color”?
Yes, I think I understand the math now, but why are you calling me “buttercup”? I just asked you to explain your statement.
@ Anon
I’m talking about this from a math POV, dude. And this isn’t just applicable to UCL, really for all of our football achievements. Football is the ‘worlds game’, yes? And the UCL is the most prestigious club football competition on Earth, right? And world population is somewhere around almost 8B? And we’re a country of 4M (with another 3M maybe in the diaspora)? We have always punched above our weight in the football world scene, both internationally (our NT) and on the club side (having a Croat in almost the last 10 UCL winners).
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So to use your “Chinaman” example, yes, statisically it’s less impressive for a Chinaman to be on a UCL winner since 1 in every 5 people on this planet are Chinese. Obviously football isn’t just based on these statisical things, but it’s interesting to think about.
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That answer your question, buttercup?
ARMADA87 said: “Unbelieveable when you think about it how we’ve had a Hrvat on every UCL winner for almost a decade (!!!)
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Not bad for a coutry of 4 million.”
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What do you mean “not bad for a country of 4 million”? If there had a been a Chinaman on every UCL winner for almost a decade, why would of that been any less impressive? Please explain what you mean.
Great performance from Luka but am SAD because in 2/3 yr Luka MAY not be playing top flight football! either for the Vatreni or Madrid…let’s enjoy him for this numbered days
Luka is a living legend.
I was surprised that Pasalic got substituted at halftime…I thought he was playing well (although Luka schooled him a few times).
managingmadrid.com:
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Luka Modric — 9: Continues to be at the top of his game, hopefully, it lasts forever. Maintained lots of possession throughout the match to keep Madrid on the ball and press their opponents. Won the ball back to tee up Benzema’s opener. Finished with 91% pass completion, one shot, one key pass and three tackles.
Sorry, but I can’t help myself. The praise never gets old…..
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Zinedine Zidane was pleased with Real Madrid’s display in the 2-0 win over Atalanta on Tuesday night which booked their place in the last eight of the Champions League.
The Frenchman was particularly impressed with midfield maestro Luka Modric who continues to show his world class ability in his mid-30s.
“I congratulated the players because they played a great game from start to finish against a team that demands a lot, physically,” he said after the game.
“We had to defend well, and then with the ball we can say that it was a complete game from us.”
Los Blancos were without the suspended Casemiro, which was a serious concern prior to the match, but the experienced heads more than made up for his absence.
“The two holding midfielders of Luka [Modric] and Toni [Kroos] are phenomenal. Casemiro can score goals and allows us to play differently.
“If you ask me about Luka… he’s some player. He’s 35 years old but you wouldn’t be able to tell from watching him on the pitch.”
Luka Modric in command
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There were several impressive performances from Real Madrid players in this one, but nobody stood out more than Luka Modric. He bossed the midfield and played at an untouchable level in all aspects of the game. Atalanta looked powerless against the Croatian, who recorded 12 ball recoveries in the first half alone. Ridiculous.
Modric was all over the pitch and assisted the opening goal for Karim Benzema when he took advantage of Marco Sportiello’s ill-advised pass over the middle. Per WhoScored.com, Modric had three tackles, five interceptions, and a team-high 98 passes. Usually, Toni Kroos attempts the most passes, but, in this match, Modric took on the lead role in midfield. And again, he was marvelous. I hope fans around the world are gushing about this display vs. Atalanta.
Modric:
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“Atalanta press a lot, all over the pitch, they don’t stop. Benzema’s goal came at the right time. It gave us the confidence to keep going then. I’m 35 but I feel like I’m only 27, I feel great. You shouldn’t look at the age, it’s all about how we perform on the pitch, regardless of age. I’m still hungry for more, to continue playing at the highest level and I feel great. It’s so important that we’ve advanced to the quarter-finals. The group wants to keep winning, and we’ll see how far we go.”
Modrić !
Armada you didn’t mention Tito
Atalanta also has Šutalo.
😀
@Maminjo
At this point, I’d put Zdravkec over Tudman, Radic, Kralj Tomislav and Starcevic as greatest Hrvat ever.
@ARMADA
All thanks to Mamic 😉
Unbelieveable when you think about it how we’ve had a Hrvat on every UCL winner for almost a decade (!!!)
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Not bad for a coutry of 4 million.
The first leg was a hard-fought defensive effort by Atalanta, since they got a red card early on. If Atalanta come out and play their attacking style, this can be a very entertaining match. Hopefully Modric can carry this Real to the finish line once more.