The performance put forth by Luka Modrić in Real Madrid’s showdown with Manchester City on Tuesday night proved to any remaining doubters why he is deserving of a new contract with the club.
Los Blancos, of course, marked their return to action a short time ago.
Turning attentions back towards matters on the continent, Carlo Ancelotti’s troops welcomed competition holders Man City to Spain’s capital, for a Champions League quarter-final clash.
And what a treat the two sides had in store…
A quality-filled affair, featuring a whole host of sumptuous goals, ultimately culminated in a 3-3 stalemate.
Real, for their part, were forced to battle back to ensure that they did not head back to The Etihad a goal down, after Joško Gvardiol’s stunning strike found the far corner of Andriy Lunin’s net.
Firmly under the cosh, and with City hunting for a potentially tie-defining fourth, the evening’s hosts were in desperate need of a source of inspiration.
Cometh the hour, cometh the man…
With Toni Kroos suddenly struggling to deal with the pace of the game, the aforementioned Luka Modrić was introduced to proceedings by Carlo Ancelotti.
And the Croatian, almost single-handedly, went on to shift the entire momentum of the clash in the favour of Los Blancos.
Picking the ball up in pockets of space time and time again, Modrić drove Real Madrid forward, courtesy of dribbling bursts, pinpoint passing, and top-class decision making.
As much proved pivotal to Federico Valverde lashing home what many will no doubt argue was the goal of the night, a little over ten minutes from time.
And the capital giants could even have gone on to win it from here, with Jude Bellingham having come close to adding another.
It really was a sight to behold… Modrić, at a full 38 years of age, took a game between arguably Europe’s two best teams by the scruff of the neck, and proved himself utterly decisive.
The midfielder’s contract at the Santiago Bernabéu is of course due to expire come the season’s close.
On Tuesday night, though, he proved once more why Real Madrid would be lucky to have him for one year more…
Conor Laird | GSFN
