The country’s top player, who was targeted by critics after Real Madrid recently lost consecutive matches to Girona and Tottenham Hotspur, will be well-rested when Croatia attempts to secure a World Cup spot in the playoffs against Greece.
The 32-year-old Modric did not play with Real last weekend in La Liga, getting some important time off ahead of Thursday’s first leg at the Zagreb Maksimir Stadium following his less-than-stellar performances.
“This is no real issue,” Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic said. “Luka has never let down the national team.”
Real were in turmoil following the back-to-back losses, with Modric playing in both games. But he stayed on the bench throughout the team’s 3-0 win against Las Palmas on Sunday.
Despite his diminutive stature, Modric has been an indisputable starter in Real’s midfield and is known for his reading of the game and good close control.
“Losing when playing for Real Madrid is harder than with any other team,” Modric said. “Football can be like this. These things happen. Last season we went through spells like this and we always came back to be the Real Madrid that everyone knows.”
Real coach Zinedine Zidane has often rotated Modric out of the lineup before international games, knowing that Croatia is heavily dependent on the midfielder and that he rarely gets a break while with the national team.
And it shouldn’t be any different now, with a World Cup spot on the line for the Croats. The decisive return game will be on Sunday in Piraeus.
Read More: https://www.dawn.com/news/1369396/croatia-need-modric-back-to-his-best-for-playoff-against-greece
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