(Football news) Real Madrid on 14th December announced that first team players Luka Modric and Marcelo had tested positive for COVID-19. The pair is practically out for the rest of the year during which the Los Blancos have 2 more La Liga matches to play. Real Madrid will play hosts Cadiz on 19th before traveling to Athletic club Bilbao on 22nd before the 10 day winter break.
Marcelo has played only 138 minutes this season as he finds himself way down the pecking order in what is potentially his final season at the Bernabeu. Luka Modric on the other hand has been at the center of Carlo Ancelotti's midfield. The Croatian at the age of 36 is still playing week in week out and putting in match winning performances. The midfielder played 270 minutes in the space of 9 days and was still full of energy towards the end. Modric's presence will undoubtedly be missed by Real Madrid.
The first option is Fede Valverde who is the obvious choice. Valverde is very different to Modric but he did bench Modric for a period of around 3 months in 2019/20 where his performances made it impossible for then manager Zinedine Zidane to drop him. That was possibly the only time since 2014 that Modric wasn't the first choice. The Croatian soon took back his place as he got his groove back and hasn't left it since. Valverde brings his lightning quick pace and energy on the field which will help Madrid on both sides of the pitch.
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The most natural replacement for Modric would be Isco who has similar traits to the Croatian. The only problem is that Isco has played only 176 minutes this season with his last appearance coming on 17th November. Ancelotti has preferred to play teenager Eduardo Camavinga over the Spaniard. Just like Valverde, Camavinga will bring energy but with more ability on the ball with his creative passing and dribbling.
The other option would be Marco Asensio who is currently occupied at the right wing. Both Gareth Bale and Eden Hazard are fully fit and can play on that right hand side along with Rodrygo. Ancelotti has been open about Asensio being capable of playing in midfield and the Spaniard did show good signs as he scored a hat-trick playing in that role after which lack of options on the right wing along with the dominance of Toni Kroos and Modric forced Ancelotti to play Asensio on the right which has also worked out well.
Modric's absence is a problem for Ancelotti who would've loved to play his best team and win the remaining two matches to make it 12 wins in a row. At the same time it also opens up an opportunity for the others to step up to the task. Relying on a 36 year old for a club like Real Madrid isn't an ideal situation but that certainly is the case because of the incredible ability and endurance of Luka Modric.
