One of the cruelest aspects of the pandemic’s impact on football was fans not getting to cheer on their heroes in person, particularly those reaching the end of their careers.
Luckily for Real Madrid fans, even though Luka Modric is 36, an age where most players are hanging up their boots, he is showing no signs of slowing down — and neither are Los Blancos.
The Croatian midfield maestro was given a standing ovation when he came off near the end of Real Madrid’s 2-0 derby win over Atletico Madrid on Sunday at Santiago Bernabeu.
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His work rate, quality on the ball and touches of class continue to keep Madrid supporters in his thrall. His coach, Carlo Ancelotti, gave him a joyful embrace at the end of the game.
“Modric, Modric, Modric,” said Ancelotti, when asked what he liked about the game. “Modric is extraordinary, what else can I say? I hugged him and congratulated him because his game was extraordinary.”
It was Karim Benzema and Marco Asensio who scored the goals, and Vinicius Junior who set them both up, but Modric pulled the strings and helped Madrid move 13 points ahead of its city rival, and a remarkable 18 above Barcelona.
The victory, clinically and professionally achieved, put it eight points clear of second-place Sevilla at the top of La Liga, and it will take some catching now. Even though we’re not at the halfway stage of the season, the title race looks all but over in Spain, barring a self-inflicted Madrid collapse.
That does not look likely to happen, with Los Blancos having won 10 games on the trot as they go from strength to strength. They have already beaten the seven teams directly below them, including Barca in eighth.
Modric has been supreme despite his age, while midfield teammates Toni Kroos and Casemiro remain his perfect allies. Spare a thought for Fede Valverde and Eduardo Camavinga, two hugely promising midfielders but both unable to depose the incumbent trio, who have won it all but refuse to step aside.
Up front, Vinicius and Benzema are forming an unrivaled attacking partnership in Spain, while perhaps most impressively, the defense has gained stability.
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After captain Sergio Ramos and stalwart Raphael Varane left, Madrid looked weak at the back. However David Alaba has stepped into Ramos’ shoes — and his No.4 shirt — perfectly well, leading the team on the pitch and also attacking just as effectively as his predecessor.
Eder Militao has also taken a step forward and is a good foil for Alaba.
Behind them, Thibaut Courtois is in the form of his Madrid career. The Belgium international has never enjoyed himself more since moving from Chelsea in 2018.
He was invincible at the Bernabeu on Sunday, notably repelling efforts from Antoine Griezmann and Joao Felix.
That solidity, which neither Atletico Madrid nor Barcelona are close to achieving yet, means Madrid is the firm favorite to wrestle the league back from Diego Simeone’s Rojiblancos.
The defending champions started the first half better than Madrid, but Benzema’s volley put the hosts ahead. The second half saw the story repeated, with Felix threatening multiple times before Asensio netted the second, against the run of play.
Ancelotti’s Madrid knows how to soak up pressure and strike lethally on the counter. It did that in the Clasico against Barcelona, with Alaba scoring a fine breakaway goal, and again against Atletico.
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“They are playing very convincingly,” admitted Simeone. “It’s football that I like, with a low block and pace up front. They are having a very good season.”
“Stay, Cholo,” chanted Madrid fans sarcastically, aware of how superior their team has been to their rivals this season. Simeone’s Atletico is unsettled, unsure of iself, lacking the intensity it usually oozes. Madrid, by contrast, is sure-footed, experienced and able to measure and control matches.
Modric is crucial to that, and, in the first Madrid derby with fans for close to two years, he put on a show for them.
“Pfffff,” said Vinicius, grinning after hearing his teammate’s name. “Modric is incredible. It’s like he’s 22. There’s no doubt he was the best.”