Luka Modric, three weeks after the cheekbone fracture sustained in a collision with Manuel Locatelli during Milan–Juventus, returned to Max Allegri’s squad for yesterday’s away match at Genoa.
The Croatian star did not come on, but once again proved himself a true leader, encouraging his teammates from the bench from the first to the last of the ten minutes of stoppage time awarded by the referee. This morning’s Corriere della Sera reports it, as relayed via Milannews.it.
In the post-match, Allegri spoke to DAZN about Luka Modric:
“I have the pleasure of working with Luka and seeing with what love and what passion he still plays this sport. Today he was itching to come on, but I preferred Loftus, who is strong in the air. I needed to choose someone who could keep hold of the ball, but then there were a couple of scrambles and since the injury was still fresh... He made himself available, I am very happy and it is truly beautiful. It should be an example for all footballers and for all children who play football. Football is a wonderful sport; sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. But the passion and love with which this sport must be played should be learned from these great champions. The great champions who do not have those qualities, I, who have been lucky enough to coach quite a few of them, have never had them. I have always had these players with these great characteristics.”
