“The old man” Luka Modric gave a new victory to Real Madrid – – 2024-02-27 05:40:32

The Santiago Bernabéu turned to one of its usual heroes of the last decade to solve a match that had become a crossword puzzle. This Sunday, Real Madrid beat Sevilla 1-0 thanks to a great goal from Luka Modric, the “eternal” midfielder who has been relegated to a regular substitute role this season.

The plague of injuries at Real Madrid forced Carlo Ancelotti to train with what he had available. The striking thing is that, not even with so many casualties, Modric found a place in the starting lineup. On the bench he waited his turn alongside practically pure youth players and when they needed him most, the 2018 Ballon d’Or brought the Bernabéu to its feet with that magic that seems inexhaustible.

It could have been thrashed if it had been a night with aim, or a goalless draw due to the resistance that Sevilla mounted as the minutes passed. The truth is that Real Madrid had a goal disallowed before the 10th minute due to an alleged foul by Nacho Fernández recovering the ball that, in the end, would end up in the visitors’ nets through Lucas Vázquez.

The VAR “scratched” down to the smallest detail and found a touch from Nacho on En-Nesyri’s foot to invalidate Real Madrid’s goal, to the reproach of the fans, players and even an upset Carlo Ancelotti, who took the blame. admonition.

Sevilla, with Sergio Ramos as captain in the return to what was his home for 16 years dressed in white, withstood well in defense what Real Madrid was looking for. Without Jude Bellingham or Joselu available due to injuries, the whites opted for Vinicius, Rodrygo and Brahim in a formation without a nominal 9, but the most dangerous was Fede Valverde.

A cannon shot by Valverde at 43 ‘forced the Norwegian Orjan Nyland to take a one-handed shot with a spectacular shot. At the beginning of the complement, the Uruguayan once again put Madrid in danger with a shot against the post, but the advantage was denied to those from the capital.

The LaLiga leader caught on from then on with a series of arrivals from Vinicius and Rodrygo, although a point-blank save by Lunin prevented what could have been the prize for Sevilla, who were left with honey on their lips.

As an anecdote, referee Isidro Díaz’s injury at game time will remain. Between shouts of “Go to the hospital” and “Let Negreira in”, the white fans said goodbye to the one they saw as a “villain” – until that moment – of the scoreless draw.

With a quarter of an hour left to play, Ancelotti sent Luka Modric to “save” Real Madrid and he did so. From outside the area, after excellent directed control, the number 10 hit him with the inside to beat Nyland and make the Santiago Bernabéu explode, which celebrated one of its historic players, whose future seems to be far from the White House for the next year, but that, for today, was the figure that keeps them 8 points ahead of Barcelona.