Real Madrid News
Ancelotti trusts Real Madrid veteran as a ‘unique’ solution to team’s problems
Real Madrid’s midfield has looked blunt this season. The change in formation, for starters, has minimised Jude Bellingham’s influence in attack and Toni Kroos’ departure, meanwhile, has destabilised the structure.
The only player who has managed to bridge that gap for Los Blancos on the field, unsurprisingly, is the ever-young Luka Modric who is still going strong for the men in white.
At this early stage in the season, the veteran has already made 12 appearances for the team and averages over 50 minutes per game in La Liga. He has two assists in that duration and has been a game-changer for Carlo Ancelotti.
Complete confidence
As revealed in a recent report on MARCA, Modric has rewritten his situation at the club and is once again a fundamental player for Ancelotti.
Despite the manager’s initial plan being to slowly phase him out, he is back as one of the team’s most vital parts.
The manager sees him as a unique player in the squad and one who has all the right answers when the team is under pressure on the field. He has thus been turning to the Croatian whenever matters get complicated.
This past weekend, it was Modric once more who found Vinicius Jr. with a sensational pass to help Real Madrid take three points at a time when Celta Vigo seemed to be creating the better opportunities.
In the process, he even registered his 250th win with Real Madrid in La Liga and added another feather to his already stacked hat.
While Real Madrid have continually evolved over the years, the midfield maestro has seamlessly adapted to every change and embraced it with renewed passion.
This season, his primary role on the field is to help unlock defences with his creativity and vision using his in-game intelligence and is serving it to perfection, even from the bench.
The fact that Ancelotti has opted to start Modric in midfield tonight against Borussia Dortmund underlines the trust he has in the veteran club captain.
Real Madrid News
Inter Milan boss Chivu praises Mourinho ahead of Real Madrid showdown: ‘A special person’
Inter Milan head coach Cristian Chivu has described Jose Mourinho as “a special person” ahead of Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League meeting with Real Madrid at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The Romanian spent two seasons playing under Mourinho at Inter between 2008 and 2010, a period that culminated in the club winning the Champions League at the very same stadium in 2010.
A serial winner
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, Chivu reflected warmly on his former manager.
“He’s a special person who I was lucky enough to meet in my life. He gave me important help during a difficult period of my life, and I’ll never forget that,” Chivu said, as quoted by Mundo Deportivo.
Chivu also praised Mourinho’s ability to influence the teams he manages and instil his mentality in his players.
“He’s very good at immersing himself in the reality of the team he represents and transmitting his mentality. He’s a winner who knows how to communicate things at the right moment. Very few people know how to do that like he does,” he said.
“He has won everywhere he has been, and I’m sure Real Madrid will have a great season.”
Despite his admiration for Mourinho, Chivu insisted that the Portuguese has not served as a template for his own coaching career.
Asked whether he takes inspiration from his former manager, the Inter boss replied: “I’ve never copied anyone. I have my own idea of football, which has been built through my years as a player and as a coach.”
Chivu assesses Mourinho’s Real Madrid
Chivu believes it is still too early to draw firm conclusions about Mourinho’s return to Real Madrid.
“It’s still very early. It has been a fairly balanced start, although they lost their last match undeservedly because they played very well,” he said.
“They’re a team with a great history and a coach who knows how to do things.”
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone”
With Mourinho in the dugout and Chivu in defence, Inter defeated Bayern Munich in the 2010 Champions League final at the Santiago Bernabeu.
The now-Inter manager believes returning to the stadium where they lifted the trophy 16 years ago will provide a special occasion, although he knows the challenge facing his team.
“The stadium has been renovated and it’s even more beautiful. It has a great tradition and today it’s more beautiful and more modern. We like playing a Champions League match in this stadium,” he said.
“Playing at the Bernabeu is not easy for anyone. Inter haven’t won here for 60 years. We’ll do everything possible and we want to show that we’re competitive and that we have the desire to dominate.
“There’s no perfect way to play against Real Madrid because they have players who can make the difference regardless of the plan you have.”
Inter arrive in Madrid after recovering from a difficult game against Napoli, while Chivu prepares to face the coach who played such an important role in his career.
