...By Henry George for TDPel Media.
Luka Modric, the 2018 Ballon d’Or winner, has been sidelined with an unspecified injury in recent weeks, and there were initial reports that he could miss the rest of the season.
However, the Croatian midfielder has recovered sooner than expected and appeared as a late substitute in Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final victory over Osasuna on Saturday.
Manager Carlo Ancelotti confirmed that Modric can play without any problem and will be playing in the upcoming game.
Modric’s return to the team is a significant boost for Real Madrid, who have just come off the back of a Copa del Rey triumph over the weekend.
Although Real had lost two of their previous three La Liga games, with the domestic title looking like it’s going to Barcelona, Ancelotti has been prioritising the knockout competitions.
He said that the team wants to play well and give their best in the upcoming game, not just for the result but also how they play, and if they avoid problems.
The upcoming game is a rematch of last year’s semi-final, which Real won in dramatic circumstances in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
City was leading 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate before conceding twice in added time and losing in extra time.
Since then, Premier League leaders Manchester City have regrouped and added a new signing, Erling Haaland, to their formidable side, who has scored 51 goals this season.
Ancelotti recognises that Haaland has made City an even stronger team.
However, Ancelotti believes that his team has options and arrives at the game in good form.
He stated that motivation is the key, and winning the cup was a bonus.
The match will be very demanding, and the team wants to go with an advantage.
In summary, Luka Modric’s return to the team will be a significant boost for Real Madrid in the upcoming game.
The team has been prioritising the knockout competitions, and they want to play well and give their best to secure a victory.
Manchester City has regrouped and added Erling Haaland, one of the most feared strikers in the game, to their formidable side.
However, Ancelotti believes that his team has options and is in good form, and their motivation is key to winning the cup.
