Let’s look at Luka Modric’s form in the 2023/24 season and his previous season
Jose Mourinho’s Real Madrid team of 2011/12 was a ruthless counter-attacking force whose efficiency and physicality guaranteed that the all-time great Barcelona side was pushed off their perch atop La Liga.
Following Pep Guardiola’s departure from Catalonia, forecasts of Madrid supremacy under the all-time great manager grew, and the addition of Croatian superstar Luka Modric from Tottenham only fueled those claims.
Instead of building on their record-breaking 100-point season, Madrid succumbed to Mourinho’s third-season syndrome, with star newcomer Modric exemplifying the club’s troubles.
The midfielder was given time to adjust, but after a spate of unimpressive performances from a #10 position, Modric was dubbed “La Liga’s worst signing” by MARCA midway through the season.
We all know how far the dynamic Croat has progressed in the Spanish city, but it was difficult to predict such unwavering excellence at first.
Modric has been a stalwart for some all-conquering Real Madrid sides for almost a decade, and Carlo Ancelotti’s recent benching has broken a rather incredible 11-year appearance record.
What’s Wrong With Luka Modric’s Recent Appearances?
While Modric insisted before the international break that he wanted to stay an important figure at Real Madrid, the club’s abundance of midfield options has seen the superstar’s influence wane at the start of 2023/24.
He appeared sluggish in Madrid’s recent loss to Atletico Madrid and was replaced at halftime. His perplexing performance at the Wanda led Ancelotti to not only sideline him for Madrid’s following two games against Las Palmas and Girona but also to make him an unused replacement.
As a result, injuries and suspensions notwithstanding, this is the first time Modric has missed consecutive Real Madrid games since 2012.
Mourinho, who played Modric sparingly at the outset of his time at the club, was the last man to condemn the tranquil master to underused status.
Modric did not play in Real Madrid’s 4-1 Champions League group stage triumph over Ajax on October 3, 2012, and subsequently sat out his first El Clasico four days later.
Those growing pains evaporated quickly when Mourinho left, with Modric establishing himself as one of the club’s all-time best midfielders, earning 23 major accolades in the Spanish capital including the prestigious Ballon d’Or in 2018.
Luka Modric Has Been Appearing Inconsistently In 2023/24 Season
“I didn’t stay to stay, but because I want to play and enjoy football and Madrid.”
Modric had a strong 2022/23 season as a key member of Ancelotti’s squad. Last season, the 37-year-old made 52 appearances, including 33 in La Liga and ten in the Champions League.
As a result, he signed a one-year extension in the summer and later stated during the international break in September that he “didn’t stay to stay.” He is eager to play.
However, through nine games in 2023/24, the veteran has only made three starts. His influence and importance have suddenly decreased, which could be attributed to Ancelotti’s switch to a 4-3-1-2 style, which is extremely taxing for the box-to-box shuttlers.
As a result, the Italian has favored younger players such as Federico Valverde, while Toni Kroos has played less.
