Chelsea shut down Modrić pretty good Tuesday night in Madrid and was a non-factor for much of the match. Modrić had a subpar game as “Chelsea’s midfield gave him issues and very little room to work with. He was a non-factor in the final third and didn’t deal with the small space he had.” All is to play for next week in London.
—————–
It’s a shame Mateo Kovačić (hamstring injury) won’t be able to play in Tuesday night’s – 3PM (ET) – Champions League 1st Leg semifinal when Chelsea visit Real Madrid. It would have been awesome for Croatians to watch Modrić and Kovačić duel each other in the midfield in a “Master vs. Grasshopper” showdown.
Hopefully Kova can make the return leg at Stamford Bridge next Wednesday.
Luka Modrić played 77 minutes on Saturday in a scoreless draw against Betis as Real Madrid are in the thick of a La Liga title race with Atletico, Barcelona, and now Sevilla. Chelsea have their own business to take care of in the Premiership as they currently sit in 4th – only three points safe from losing a CL berth.
Modrić has been incredible this season for Real Madrid at 35 years old. He will need need to be in top form if Kroos or Benzema don’t carry their own weight with Sergio Ramos still out with injury. I think every Croatian fan is pulling for Modrić to do it again and bring Real Madrid to glory.
Vegas has both Chelsea and Real Madrid as a coin flip to play in the Final. Who ya got?
I think it will be an extremely conservative match in Madrid with only one goal scored. 1-0 for Real Madrid.
https://www.thechelseachronicle.com/champions-league/nevin-says-luka-modric-could-not-make-impact-in-first-leg-draw-because-of-one-chelsea-player/amp/
Modric looked tired tonight. He was better in the second half. I don’t think he was worse than other Madrid players, he made less mistakes than they did but he was also less engaged. The pouring rain affected the match.
I really hope there aren’t any stupid protocols that require several players to sit out games during the tournament lol.
.
These guys are young athletes and a chunk of them are probably playing with COVID right now. The probability of spreading it on the field outdoors is essentially zero.
.
It would be a stupid tournament if we have half of these players suddenly required to simply ‘sit out’ for games (as this 26-man squad implies).
I’m hearing that the Euros will allow 26-man squads because of the pandemic. Thank goodness. We need to make sure we have enough players in case Melnjak or Skoric get injured. 😉
.
On a serious note. I for one will be disappointed not to see some fresh faces in there if there truly will be expanded rosters. Borna Sosa should be in there. Maybe Bradaric even though he hasn’t been in form. Gvardiol and Majer already deserve a shout. Toma Basic and Kristijan Jakic are pretty good defensive mids and could probably take Badelj position as I don’t think he’s even been playing much for Genoa. If Mandzukic is willing to unretire to be an impact sub do we take him? I don’t have anything against Budimir, I think he’s a decent player, but a slightly unfit Mandzukic is still a better target man than he is for our play style.
.
Who else should be considered if this news is true?
I’m American and don’t give a shit about “pull-lee-sick”.
He might be a nice kid, might be a good footballer, I wish him the best, but he doesn’t wear our sacred dres so not on my radar.
He had no problem being Croatian when he needed a EU passport;)
did we forget the third Croat in the CL.. Pulisic..blood stronger than paper..i hope he enjoys his international career playing the likes of Barbados…El Salvador… Canada!!
Real vs PSG final
This is Real Modrić time.
Hazard has an opportunity to come through in this CL tie with his former club.
Modrić is due for a golasso.
Kovačić is an ideal player for Chelsea against Real Modrić.
He will be missed.