Milan, Modric’s numbers

Modric is universal, tireless and now also elusive: while some of his best teammates have been stopped by injuries, Luka has also overcome problems and tiredness and is trying to put Milan in command on his own. Also thanks to virtuous management: while Pulisic and Rabiot were knocked out in the national team, Modric made 192 appearances for Croatia without feeling tired. Luka had spent ninety minutes on the pitch against the Czech Republic, man of the pitch, for an away draw that will add the fifth world stamp in the champion’s passport. Against Gibraltar, a match that could be faced even without his leadership, he instead remained on the bench for almost 70 minutes, entering the final twenty minutes. Only he remains among the best Rossoneri in terms of performance: Modric leads the ranking of the best performers with an average Gazzetta rating in the league of 7.25. Rabiot follows at 6.88 and Pulisic at 6.58 forced to stop until the next break in November. Positive news for the AC Milan fans: as things stand they shouldn’t go to the national team again next month…

FROM RECORD

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Modric will also be able to consolidate another Rossoneri record: of the midfielders he is already the one who has the most minutes on the pitch in Serie A, 515, more than Rabiot who arrived a week late compared to the start of the championship, but also more than Fofana and Saelemaekers. No one even among the attackers can match Luka’s pace: the only teammate with a higher performance is Matteo Gabbia, 540′, with fifteen years less of a career behind him. Modric surpasses him if we consider seasonal usage, including national team matches: Luka’s total rises to 757′. A quantity that has not obscured the quality: among other records is that of the player who has completed the most passes since the start of Serie A. 368 have been successful in the first six matchdays: a percentage that has never fallen below 90%, with a peak of 95% against Udinese. A fact that highlights the impact on the game and how Modric acts as an inspiration and director: if there is a need for guidance, the team will still find the indications of Luka, not those of Rabiot and Pulisic, other players with greater experience and quality in the group. Compatriot Marin Pongracic will also be among the opponents who will try to limit him this evening.

MILAN DECIMATED

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Modric will have to be more cumbersome than ever given that there are many gaps to fill: the known absences of Rabiot and Pulisic have in fact been added to those of Nkunku (knocked to the foot in the national team), who could have been a valid option to replace the starters, and Estupinan, who still has more experience than the young Bartesaghi. In addition to Jashari, who is injured for a long time, Allegri also risks having to deal with a last-minute withdrawal, that of Loftus-Cheek. The decisive test will be held today: if Loftus is also forced to miss the match due to fatigue, Saelemaekers will go to the attacking midfield with Athekame on the right. With what remains out of the infirmary, Allegri will organize the best possible lineup while also leaving reserve options on the bench. The exclusion of Gimenez (barring any surprises) would be strategic: Max would have a card to play during the match. Decimated Milan are playing for the top: Napoli’s defeat offers the opportunity to overtake them in the standings, as does Inter’s success in Rome: Conte, Gasp and the Nerazzurri are on 15. With a triple jump to overtake Fiorentina, Milan and Allegri would be at the top on 16. Minimum heights for Modric, who has climbed much higher peaks: he was European champion six times, and won the cup for five years of the world for club. Max relies on the best guide.