Luka Modric has added to Real Madrid’s injury concerns with a thigh injury he has sustained during the international break. Modric’s injury has only made things go from bad to worse for Zinedine Zidane who has been unable to field his full strength starting eleven yet.
The entire credit for the same goes to the curse Real Madrid have had with injuries in the 2019/20 campaign. The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner joins the already lengthy injury list of Marco Asensio, Eden Hazard, Brahim Diaz, Luko Jovic, and Isco. James Rodriguez has seemingly made his return from injury and was seen training with the entire squad. Los Blancos issued an official statement on their website which read –
“Following the tests carried out today on our player Luka Modric by Real Madrid’s medical department, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury to the adductor in his right leg. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”
The likes of Hazard, Diaz and Isco are also expected to be fit in a week’s time. However, that is not a long-term solution to the problems which are haunting Real Madrid in such early days in the season. These problems certainly need in-depth troubleshooting if they are to be done away with soon.
The 4th Official lists out factors which resulted in the present-day situation for Zinedine Zidane’s side.
Poor Pre-season Routine
Real Madrid were poor with their performances during the pre-season and failed to impress any critics at all. The squad seemed extremely shaky and nervy during all their entire pre-season friendlies.
The list of injuries began right from pre-season when Marco Asensio ruptured his cruciate ligament and was ruled out of Los Blancos’ squad until the last few months of the season. This could be due to the intensity or level of training done during the pre-season. In the modern-day game of football, every minute detail has relevance.
International Duty
During the international break, the players are made to play two games in 10 days, and that is bound to take a toll on their health. For instance, at the age of 34, Luka Modric does not have the legs to play three matches in the span of 15 days.
It is also noticeably evident that the same sort of care and treatment is not offered to the players at the National Camps as compared to the professionally run football clubs. During the first international break itself, Real Madrid had two players who returned with injuries in Luka Modric and Luka Jovic.
