When La Liga paused for the international break a fortnight ago Real Madrid sat in an assured position. At the top of the table with a two-point lead over second-placed Barcelona things looked good for Los Merengues. They rallied after an indifferent start to the season where they lost back-to-back League games against Real Sociedad in San Sebastian [4-2] and Atletico Madrid [2-1] at home.
Since then Madrid have enjoyed an astronomical run, going on an eight-game undefeated streak, which included their impressive 3-1 victory against Barcelona. However, contrary to their recent League form, the international break did not go all Madrid’s way.
The loss of Luka Modric to a thigh injury for three months while on international duty with Croatia is a blow. The dynamic midfielder has played in 10 of Real Madrid’s 11 League games, becoming a lynchpin of the midfield. The Croatian has displayed a wonderful array of passing so far this season, which provided the supply for Madrid’s main attacking trio of Cristiano Ronaldo, Karim Benzema and Gareth Bale.
Modric’s incisive passes create chances for teammates but more importantly breaks rigid defensive lines set by the opposition. However, Modric’s injury is softened by Madrid’s squad depth in the form of Asier Illarramendi and Sami Khedira. While it means Khedira will likely stay to provide squad depth it does mean Illarramendi could get a chance to increase his playing time.
Modric’s injury is timely for Illarra, who has started just one League game this season and has come off the bench on six occasions, mainly in the latter stages of the match when the game was already won.
Though Modric is excellent in attack he rarely shirked his defensive responsibilities. Illarramendi and Khedira have to perform if selected to replace Modric. If they can’t then rumours within the Press will grow, notably regarding Khedira, who in recent days has been linked with a move to Bayern Munich.
The depth within midfield will have to make up for Modric’s absence. The former Tottenham man brought so much to the team in attack but also defensively as well.
Los Blancos will look to maintain their position at the top of the table up to the winter break in mid-December. Their four League games before the winter break are relatively easy with their game against Malaga at Estadio La Rosaleda next Saturday posing the most difficulty.
But Modric will likely miss a considerable part of January as well, which makes his absence even more of a blow, as Real Madrid travel to Valencia to face Los Che in early January.
Modric’s injury is the first real test to see how Madrid cope with the loss of an influential player. It will be fascinating to see whether they can continue their winning run. The real litmus test would be if Cristiano Ronaldo suffers a long-term injury like Modric’s. Should that happen things could take an intriguing turn.