Carlo Ancelotti considers Luka Modric an undisputed starter, but the Croatian midfielder has played the full 90 minutes in just two Real Madrid games this season.
Modric has started in 15 of the 18 games that he has played for Los Blancos this term, but he wasn’t replaced in the second half on just two occasions against Getafe and Girona.
Ancelotti is not willing to risk a potential Modric injury. As many as 10 players have enjoyed more playing time than the Croatia international (1,259 minutes) thus far.
“I replace him not because he is bad, but because I want to bring in fresher [legs],” Ancelotti said a year ago.
“I have to take into account his age and so I can spare him injuries in the future.”
Modric has played more games for Croatia
Meanwhile, Modric has participated in seven games for Croatia so far this term and has played over 90 minutes on five occasions.
Croatia coach Zlatko Dalic has replaced Modric four times. At the World Cup, he was subbed off in the 86th minute against Canada, the 93rd with Denmark and the 99th minute against Japan.
Dalic took many by surprise as he subbed off Modric before the penalty shootout against Japan. This means that the Real Madrid star must have been exhausted, for Dalic to replace his main penalty taker before the shootout.
The game with Japan could have been his last World Cup duel had Croatia lost on Monday.
“There had been a lot of wear and tear,” Dalic said.
“We were looking for intelligent solutions and we needed to save energy.
“Modric and [Mateo] Kovacic had been squeezed, same for [Ivan] Perisic.
“We had players ready on the bench and they did well in the shootout.
“This will not be Luka‘s last tournament. He will continue to play for Croatia, I’m sure. He is a professional and he is still fit. We will need him in the future.”
Modric isn’t thinking about retirement
As for Modric, the Real Madrid midfielder didn’t want to talk about his future at the Croatian national team.
“I trusted the team,” he noted.
“I don’t think about these things. I’m enjoying every game.
“There will be time to think about the rest”.
