Luca Modric, the Croatian captain of Milan, will be the protagonist of the San Siro derby against Inter, despite his 41 years of age. Milan, in a phase of great difficulty and with numerous absentees, will rely on their experience to lead the team in the most important match of the season. Modric is playing the Madonnina derby for the third time, and his two previous matches were won by 1-0, with the full 90 minutes of his presence on the pitch.
Modric's role was crucial for Milan, especially in Rabiot's absence, and his presence is considered essential. The player, who spent most of his career at Real Madrid, showed that he is still capable of influencing the outcome in a top-level match. Milan, who had difficulty finding a balance in attack, see Modric as a point of reference both on the pitch and on the bench.
Modric's past was marked by a very successful 2018-19 season. After winning his fourth Champions League with Real Madrid and leading Croatia to second place in the World Cup, Modric found himself looking for new challenges. At that time, the Chinese club Suning had expressed interest in bringing him to Inter, but Florentino Pérez, president of Real Madrid, rejected the offer. The president declared that whoever wanted Modric would have to pay the 750 million euro clause. The deal did not materialize, and Modric continued to play for Real Madrid, winning two more Champions Leagues and other trophies.
Milan, with Modric at the center of its project, aims to exploit his experience to overcome the current crisis. The derby with Inter represents a crucial opportunity to demonstrate the team's ability to compete at the highest level. If Modric manages to lead the team in this match, it could be a sign of rebirth for the Rossoneri club. The results of the derby will determine whether Milan can recover ground in the standings and resume the race for European competitions.