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Ancelotti on Modric: He doesn't look 39 on the pitch, it's hard to leave him on the bench
Reading Time: 3min | Mon. 26.02.24. | 11:46
"It's in Luka's hands what he wants to do next season and we just have to wait for his decision. He, Kroos and Nacho are in the same situation", said the Real Madrid coach
When the young guns are misfiring, who you gonna call? Luka Modric! Croatian ace is at the age of 39, his career is coming to an end, but the former Dinamo Zagreb and Tottenham player is not giving up on the white jersey of the Royal Club. The captain of the Croatian national team entered the game in the 75th minute and shortly after entering he scored a goal from about 20 meters to settle the question of the winner against Sevilla (1-0) at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Modrić is not playing much this season, he is not satisfied with the number of minutes, he may decide to leave the Spanish capital in June when his contract expires. Carlo Ancelotti is giving him minutes, but it is clear that the Croatian midfielder is still a player for big occasions. As expected, after the victories, the Italian mostly talked about the former Ballon d'Or winner and his contribution to the overthrow of the Andalusians.
"We celebrated Luka's goal because he deserved it. He scored a great goal and contributed a lot when he came on. It is very difficult to leave him on the bench, but every day he shows that he is an example for everyone," Ancelotti said.
Despite the eulogies, the veteran's fate remains uncertain.
"It's in Luka's hands what he wants to do next season and we just have to wait for his decision. He, Kroos and Nacho are in the same situation. The club will have time to resolve all this. Managing these cases is very complicated and I understand very well what Modrić can think when he is not playing because I experienced it as a football player. Modric does not look like a 39-year-old player on the pitch."
Ancelotti does not understand why Real Madrid's goal was disallowed at the start of the match.
"It is difficult for us to get used to the new rules of football. In the disallowed goal, Nacho touches the player's leg and also the ball, and VAR steps in to review the referee's decision without it being a clear and obvious error."
1 - At 38 years and 169 days, @realmadriden's Luka Modrić has become the second oldest player to score from outside the box in LaLiga since at least the 2003/04 season, after Jorge Molina (two goals, the last at 40 years and 15 days). Eternal. pic.twitter.com/c9yQkwG51t
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 25, 2024
The former coach of Juventus, Milan, Chelsea, Paris Saint-Germain, Napoli and Everton is aware that his team is not playing perfectly, but the points are being collected and the crown is getting closer to Los Blancos after losing it last year to Barcelona.
"It was a great match, played with a lot of quality and balance. We had predictable problems when you lack attacking options like Bellingham or Joselu. Taking this into account, I think the three points are deserved and I'm very pleased because we played a great game", concluded the Italian.
LA LIGA
Friday
Sociedad - Villareal 1-3 (0-1)
/Merino 86 - Comesana 17, 47, Sorloth 90+5/
Saturday
Granada - Valencia POSTPONED
Barcelona - Getafe 4-0 (1-0)
/Raphinha 20, Joao Felix 53, de Jong 61, Lopez 90+1/
Alaves - Mallorca 1-1 (0-0)
/Benavidez 76 - Nastasic 88/
Almeria - Atl.Madrid 2-2 (0-1)
/Romero 27, 64 - Correa 2, de Paul 57/
Sunday
Cadiz - Celta 2-2 (0-1)
/Juanmi 66, Machiz 90+10 - Aspas 11, Swedberg 58/
Betis - Ath. Bilbao 3-1 (2-1)
/Avila 13, Berchiche 38, Johnny 67 - Guruzeta 45+7/
Las Palmas - Osasuna 1-1 (0-0)
/Rodriguez 52 - Garcia 49/
Real Madrid - Sevilla 1-0 (0-0)
/Modric 83/
Monday
23:00: (1.65) Girona (3.70) Rayo Vallecano (5.60)
***odds are subject to change***
