EURO 2016 Scout Report: Luka Modric

The diminutive king of the park while performing for Real Madrid on a weekly basis, Luka Modric has proved to be one of the early shining lights in the 15th edition of the UEFA European Championships.

Ryan Quinn, editor of The Conventional Playmaker, analyses what makes Luka Modric such a wonderfully talented midfield player.

First and foremost, Luka Modric is the creative cog in the Croatia machine and by that, I am referring to the fact that Luka Modric controls build up play while in possession and even without possession of the ball. Luka Modric’s ability to do so is emphasised by the outstanding passing range he has to offer. An exemplary passer of the ball, Modric can find teammates with intricate short passes, which are very effective in 2 versus 1 situations.

Long passes are another strong aspect of the playmaker’s game; the ability to play productive diagonal passes to teammates in space, is mainly due to Modric’s superb vision. Modric possesses an incredible footballing brain, allowing him to dictate possession for both Real Madrid and Croatia. During a 2016 European Championships group stage encounter against the Czech Republic, which resulted in a 2-2 draw, Luka Modric achieved a 97% passing accuracy within the first 45 minutes. The significance of this valid statistic, is that the passes Modric made were very progressive and were intended to ignite an attack to cause a goal scoring opportunity. A provable theory is that during the early stages of the European Championships, the Croatia team have been held together by Luka Modric. The dictation of possessive buildup on Modric’s behalf has proved pivotal in terms of creating chances and ultimately scoring goals. Once Luka Modric was substituted against the Czech Republic upon 60 minutes, Croatia lost control and tempo of the game, with the opposition becoming more direct, consequently scoring two goals.

A common situation when playing for Real Madrid, is the interchange between Modric and primary goal threat Cristiano Ronaldo. Ronaldo is an expert, and arguably the game’s greatest regarding off-ball movement and the making of diagonal runs. Therefore, it is either Modric’s or Toni Kroos’ objective to identify these runs with long pass switches to the inverted Winger.

Moreover, Luka Modric’s passing qualities and vision are also emphasised by the continuity he shares with respective teammates. Modric’s understanding of the way his teammates play is a appreciable talent, and has been showcased during the European Championships; Modric’s decision making has allowed captain and right back Darijo Srna to use his own qualities to good effect. For example, the overlapping of the Shakhtar Donetsk defender was one of two possible interchanges, with the other offered by attacking midfielder Ivan Rakitic. Playing further forward in direct comparison with his position as one third of a midfield trio for FC Barcelona, the more offensive responsibilities given to Rakitic have enabled the midfielder to make advancing runs in behind the defence (especially from a right sided midfield position).

The constant movement of Internazionale Winger Ivan Perisic was a third alternative. The continuity between Luka Modric and fellow playmaker Ivan Rakitic is excitingly productive. While Rakitic is deployed as the number 10, Modric is still able to partake in passing interchange and contribute in an attacking sense from a deeper position, as well as being tactically astute enough to detect the advancing runs made by Ivan Rakitic. Signs of continuity are also shown at domestic level. Modric commonly features as one half of a double pivot alongside Toni Kroos, Germany’s midfield architect for Real Madrid. Both Kroos and Modric complement each other very well, and performed greatly together in the 2016 UEFA Champions League final

When not in possession of the ball, Modric is still able to take charge of Croatia’s possessive build up for a variety of reasons. Due to being deployed in a deeper midfield role, Modric is expected to carry out necessary defensive responsibilities, therefore his pressurising of opposition players in spaces between the Real Madrid or Croatia midfield and defence which inevitably closes space down is valuable. The closing down of space could lead to regaining possession and initiating an attack, or the opposition making faulty decisions, therefore at least halting the oppositions own attacking buildup.  Modric is a great finder of space in order to receive the ball, Modric is at his very finest when given creative space. Modric is the type of player that the ball is almost attracted to, the playmaker drifts into space where he can receive the ball conveniently, subsequently evading tight marking.

The midfield magician assists in the maintaining of structure, drifting forward to feed balls through to on running attackers, while still staying within reach of his deeper midfield position, so no areas already covered by teammates are congested and so extra cover from a defender is not a necessity.

Modric displays supreme dribbling ability. Able to outmaneuver opposition with ease, Modric is very comfortable at taking on and beating players in 1 versus 1 duels. This quality connotes that Modric could play as a Number 10/attacking midfielder, as well as his usual deeper midfield role. Modric’s dribbling attracts the pressure of opposition midfielders/defenders, again emphaisisng his ability in 2 versus 1 situations. The dribbling combined with the sense of vision enable Modric to glide across the midfield effortlessly receiving the ball so that build-up can continue. Though not the most physically intimidating, Modric’s lack of height means he does however possess a low centre of gravity, meaning holding onto possession of the ball is an easy task.

Perhaps the most renowned quality within the armoury of Luka Modric is his preeminent technique. A cultured midfielder of the highest order, Modric’s  technical prowess is exemplified through excellent ball control, ball retention, and the ability to shoot from range. Croatia’s talisman in chief showcased this quality through goals against Manchester United in a 2012-13 UEFA Champions League round of 16 encounter, and a dipping volley against Turkey in Croatia’s opening game of EURO 2016. Luka Modric is enabled to be positioned in an array of central midfield areas as a result of his technical prowess; typically deployed as a deep-lying playmaker, Modric is able to also play as a holding midfielder, or a number 10. As either a deep-lying playmaker or a defensive midfielder, Modric is withdrawn almost from the attack, yet is still able to be so influential in build-up.