For FIFA to have neglected Modrić in their Ballon D’or list
is ludicrous, this is the best midfielder in world football right now.
In anticipation for the game at the Bernabeu this evening between
two heavyweights of world football there has been much discussed regarding the
resting of Steven Gerrard, Raheem Sterling and daily issue of Mario Balotelli. Brendan Rodgers focus appears to have moved towards the importance of
Saturday’s game between him and Chelsea over tonight. The Champions League campaign
has not been too promising for the Premier League’s ‘darlings’ of last season.
A coach and team who could do no wrong a matter of months ago have now been put
under the microscope of doubt. Losing Suarez, replacing him with very little
and then losing a key player like Sturridge was never going to make this ‘transition’
period easy for Liverpool. A lot of work is needed to make this season a success.
However, the focus of this article, as well as tonight's game should not be Liverpool, Gerrard, Balotelli or even Bale, but of the wonderful Luka Modrić.
Several years of different fortunes
In March 2009 the fortunes of Liverpool and Real Madrid were
very different. Real were outclassed 4-0 by Rafa Benitez's Liverpool and
a forward line led by a then superb Fernando Torres. Madrid were abject at best, a
sorry state of a club which had been guilty of lacking vision and stability for
many years. The era of dominance they appeared to show at the turn of the
century was no more. This was merely a shadow of the side they were once were.
It is not as though the team were poor, players like Casillas, Sergio Ramos,
Sneijder and Robben were on show, yet they lacked a coach to provide stability. Juande Ramos was not the man to take this side forward. In contrast Liverpool under Benitez had looked like genuine title
winners in 08/09. And yet that following season the wheels started falling off
for Liverpool and a period of decline ensued (ownership issues mainly being the
cause).
As for Madrid, well after stating that the club needed a new direction
in 2006 Florentino Perez felt he was required to bring back the glory days at
Madrid and in May 2009 he would return as Madrid’s president and in typical Perez
fashion embarked on a summer of lavish spending. In came Kaka for a then world
record fee, only for Perez to top that himself a few weeks later with the acquisition of Cristiano
Ronaldo for £80m. Karim Benzema would arrive also, as too would Liverpool’s
Spanish duo of Xabi Alonso and Alvaro Arbeloa. Alonso in particular had proven
his world class quality the season before, incredibly a year after Liverpool had pursued
Gareth Barry to replace him. Madrid’s Galactico project was once again in
action, yet the question was would this be another failure like it was in
2003-2006? The answer was no. And the reason why was Jose Mourinho.
Manuel Pellegrini was initially given the new Galactico
project in 2009/2010 and while he achieved a very impressive points total, he
could not achieve what Perez wanted. At the same time Barcelona were
thriving under Pep Guardiola, which only furthered the resolve of Perez for Madrid's dominance of Spain and Europe. He sought to find a man who could
take this group of talented players and form of cohesive and successful squad.
What ensued was one of the greatest tactical and melodramatic battles in the
history of the game. El Clasico had never been fought so strongly, and
bitterly.
And yet although Mourinho made Madrid a genuine world class side once more, even he could not overcome the might of Barca. Yes he wore
them down, exhausted their coach and players, the consequences of which are
still prevalent now, yet he could not overcome their style, and quality. The
problem in some parts was Mesut Özil. Now while not a problem per se, Özil was a fantastic
player for Madrid and was a key part of the sides progression under Mourinho,
he was a tactical issue for Madrid’s progress from semi-finalists to finalist
in Europe. Barca’s midfield overloaded Madrid’s, as too did Bayern’s in 2012,
where Toni Kroos influence would be a key difference in the battle of the
midfields. Something needed changing and Mourinho felt a new addition to the
team was required.
A modern midfielder required to bridge the gap to success
What he required was a player adept at being a playmaker as
much as a player willing to support the midfield out of possession. In Luka Modrić
Mourinho saw the player he required. To say it didn’t start well for Modrić was an
understatement, he was voted Madrid’s worst ever signing in his first year. Yet
he was not helped by the political issues going on behind the scenes between Mourinho,
Perez and Casillas. After creating harmony and stability in a club which had
lacked these aspects for several years, Mourinho took them into turmoil and
with it appeared the possibility of La Decima. Modrić suffered most and
questions were being asked over his suitability at a club like Madrid. Was he
suited to being a big fish in a small pond at Spurs?
Mourinho not surprisingly
left, although he did take the club to his third semi-final appearance in the Champions League, yet once again fell short of the final, this time being
knocked out by the impressive Borussia Dortmund. That following summer would see a major
merry-go-round of managerial movement and Mourinho’s replacement would be the
man shown the door at PSG and Chelsea previously, Carlo Ancelotti. A great
reputation in Europe during the 2000’s Ancelotti had been somewhat ignored in
the era of Guardiola and Mourinho, yet he would find the answers which Mourinho
had seen, but lacked to get right, in his first season at Madrid.
Ancelotti's initial struggles
to find a place for all his ‘stars’, notably Isco, led to a difficult start and
questions over his ability to take the team forward. Yet his decision to move
to a 4-3-3, dropping Isco and building the team around Alonso, Di Maria and Modrić in his midfield was genius and this
tactical decision set Madrid on course to win their 10th European crown. Yes the accolades
went to Ronaldo and Bale, yet it was Di Maria and Modrić who were the unsung
heroes of that season. Di Maria’s ability to play in the central role was a
surprise to many yet his energy and robustness as well as his creativity made
him look a natural in that role. Modrić started to grow into
his role as the team’s conductor and leader.
When Di Maria and Xabi Alonso left this summer there were
doubts about whether James Rodriquez, Toni Kroos and also Isco could fill the
void these players had left. However it does appear that in Kroos and Isco
particularly Ancelotti has found a way for it to work. In fairness the issue
was over the energy and defensive cover which was lost with Di Maria, would a
player like Isco be capable of providing this? Well it appears he has answered
those doubters and stepped up. Isco has been superb so far this season, notably
his defensive work to track back, tackle and regain possession.
As for Kroos,
well he fitted into the role of Alonso wonderfully in much the same way Alonso
has done so at Bayern. Both are the modern libero type playmakers who dictate
play from deep and who play the ‘quarterback’ role perfectly. However perhaps
it is the constant which has meant that Madrid have continued their great form.
In the past 12 months Luka Modrić has not only proven his worth and quality for
Madrid, he has become the best midfielder in world football in my opinion. A
strong statement perhaps, yet there is no other player who has consistently
performed to the level of Modrić this past year.
Looking at the Croatian midfielder and one does firstly question if he 'looks' like a top footballer. Yet his looks and frame are irrelevant when considering his quality as a footballer. One can argue he has been one of the most important parts of Madrid's success this past year. Which is why his absence in
the FIFA Ballon D’or list (which of course shoudn’t be a basis for judgement on
a player really) is so puzzling.
Not one of the 23 best? Incredible
I am sure Ronaldo will win it again so the list
is seemingly pointless in this respects, however a list of 23 players would be
a barometer to gauge the best 23 in world football this past year. One cannot
help but see a list of ‘who performed well at the World Cup’ in names like
Gotze, Mascherano, Neymar and Rodriquez. As much as I like Iniesta I cannot fathom
how he has made the list and while Yaya Toure’s performances last season were a
key reason for City’ success, I cannot say the same for Paul Pogba’s inclusion.
Ultimately I am shocked that Modrić did not make the list and it appears that
his ‘peripheral’ influence on the game is a factor. FIFA have neglected to see what he offers over players who 'contribute' with goals. But this is not relevant. What is
relevant is that Modrić has started to dominate games with almost relative
ease.
In the game against Barca 10 days ago Modrić was majestic. 41 passes he
made, 100% were completed. This was against a midfield of Messi, Iniesta, Xavi
and Busquets, players who have dominated the discussion on midfield play for
several years. Modrić embarrassed them with the grace of his play, his
composure in possession, his vision and above all his ability to read, tackle
and break up play.
He spoke recently about comparisons to Barca’s midfield and
Madrid’s and responded “You can’t compare us to the Barcelona team under
Guardiola, We are Madrid and we want to define our own philosophy. We don’t
want to be compared to anyone.” Define their own philosophy, leading the way in
the modern game. It is clear that Madrid are on another level to Barcelona now
and the progression of Modrić is evidently a key part of this.
Watching Modrić in that game was an education on how to play
in midfield in the modern game. It was symbolic that Modrić, Kroos and even
Isco performed like ‘complete’ midfielders and that the specialists of Barca
had few answers or solutions for what Madrid’s midfield threw at them. A few
years ago we would have laughed to think that Madrid’s midfield could outplay
Barca’s, yet this is the sign of the time and a nod not only to Barca’s
troubles in the modern game, but the rise of the complete midfielder, a
position which at this time is being led by Luka Modrić.
So while Liverpool fans the media concern themselves with
the absence of Gerrard, they need to appreciate the world class talent of the
best midfielder in world football at this time. Also, after watching United these past few years it puzzles me also as to why they never made the necessary moves to capture Modrić
while at Spurs, this is the modern version of Paul Scholes, a player who would have
been a key addition to team lacking a midfielder with the vision, creativity
and wonder of a Modrić.
No comments:
Post a Comment