Modric magic for Real

Spanish giants will rely on in-form Croatian midfielder’s brilliance in tonight’s Champions League semi-final first leg away clash at Manchester City

Modric magic for Real

Real Madrid players Luka Modric (right) and Rodrygo Goes during a training session at the Valdebebas ground in Madrid, Spain on Sunday. Pic/Getty Images

Luka Modric, 36, who orchestrated stirring Real Madrid comebacks against Paris Saint-Germain and Chelsea, now has Manchester City and another Champions League final in his sights. Modric’s mesmeric, curving pass with the outside of his right foot for Rodrygo to volley in resuscitated Real against Chelsea, just when it looked like they were dead. His eye-of-a-needle pass through the legs of Presnel Kimpembe for Karim Benzema to finish gave the Spaniards life against PSG. Modric’s craft along with Benzema’s finishing, have been Real’s most devastating weapons en route to the semi-finals. And Manchester City will need to be on guard in the first leg at the Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night.

Two minutes before he bamboozled PSG with that feathered pass through to Benzema in the Last 16, Modric had already raised the Santiago Bernabeu to its feet. PSG were 2-1 up on aggregate and Lionel Messi was off on the counter-attack, racing out of his own half, about to embark on a trademark, scuttling run down the right wing. Modric scampered after Messi, tracked him, lunged across with his right foot, hooked the ball out of play and clattered Messi to the ground. The stadium roared with delight. Benzema’s decisive goals came two and four minutes later. Interestingly, Man City coach Pep Guardiola might have coached Modric if Barcelona had acted on their interest in 2008. Instead, Modric spent 2008-2012 at Tottenham.

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