Top Ad
I DIG Radio
www.idigradio.com
Listen live to the best music from around the world!
I DIG Style
www.idigstyle.com
Learn about the latest fashion styles and more...

Sources: Modric out of Copa final, doubt for UCL

Written by 
Published in Soccer
Friday, 28 April 2023 08:37

Luka Modric will miss Real Madrid's Copa del Rey final against Osasuna with a thigh injury and is a doubt for their Champions League semifinal first leg with Manchester City, sources have told ESPN.

Modric, who played 63 minutes of Madrid's surprise 4-2 LaLiga defeat to Girona on Tuesday, did not train with his teammates at the club's Valdebebas training ground on Friday.

- Stream on ESPN+: LaLiga, Bundesliga, more (U.S.)

"Following tests carried out on Luka Modric by the Real Madrid Medical Services, an injury to the back of his left thigh has been diagnosed," the club said in a statement.

Goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois and forward Karim Benzema -- who were both absent for Tuesday's defeat -- are now back in training, but Madrid are still waiting on injured defenders David Alaba and Ferland Mendy.

"[Modric] has a slight injury. We're monitoring it," coach Carlo Ancelotti said in a news conference on Friday. "I don't know if he'll be back for the cup final. We have to assess it. It hurts, but it can happen. Let's hope he recovers."

Ancelotti added: "We'll probably have to replace both [the suspended Eder Militao and Modric] in the Champions League first leg. Militao, for sure. Let's hope not Modric."

Ancelotti said midfielder Dani Ceballos was most likely to replace Modric if the Croatia international was unavailable for the Copa del Rey final.

"With his characteristics, [it could be] Ceballos," he said. "But we have a lot of resources: [Eduardo] Camavinga, [Aurelien] Tchouameni ... We have a lot of options, although [Modric] is irreplaceable in terms of his experience in these games."

Madrid host Almeria in LaLiga on Saturday and then travel to Real Sociedad on Tuesday before the Copa del Rey final in Seville on May 6, with the Champions League semifinal first leg against City coming just three days later.

Modric, 37, is yet to agree a contract extension at the Bernabeu beyond this summer but remains a key member of Ancelotti's midfield.

He has made 28 appearances in LaLiga this season -- 17 of them as a starter -- and started all four of Madrid's crucial Champions League knockout games with Liverpool and Chelsea.

Courtois missed the Girona game with gastroenteritis, while Benzema -- who has struggled with frequent injuries this season -- has recovered from a knock.

Madrid's focus is now on winning the Copa and the Champions League as they trail league leaders Barcelona by 11 points with seven games remaining.

"I'm optimistic," Ancelotti said. "There's a good atmosphere, the players are motivated. Sometimes things happen that I don't understand, like against Girona, but we must remain confident. What happened last year [in the Champions League] was unforgettable and we want to do it again."

Read 151 times

Soccer

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

FIFA donates $50m for Qatar World Cup legacy

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFIFA launched a $50 million legacy fund for social programmes on We...

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

Guardiola sorry for self-harm remark after draw

EmailPrintManchester City boss Pep Guardiola has apologised for suggesting he wanted to hurt himself...

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

Guardiola's new Man City deal means nothing if stars don't sign extensions, too

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsManchester City did the easy part by having manager Pep Guardiola s...

2026 FIFA


2028 LOS ANGELES OLYMPIC

UEFA

2024 PARIS OLYMPIC


Basketball

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

KD, Beal return as Suns' big 3 leads rout of Lakers

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsPHOENIX -- Bradley Beal and Kevin Durant each scored 23 points and...

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

Giannis out vs. Heat due to pregame knee issue

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsMIAMI -- Milwaukee Bucks star Giannis Antetokounmpo is out for Tues...

Baseball

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

Champion Dodgers adding Snell, sources say

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsFree agent left-hander Blake Snell and the Los Angeles Dodgers have...

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

Dodgers split $46M from record MLB playoff pool

EmailPrintOpen Extended ReactionsNEW YORK -- A full postseason share for the World Series champion L...

Sports Leagues

  • FIFA

    Fédération Internationale de Football Association
  • NBA

    National Basketball Association
  • ATP

    Association of Tennis Professionals
  • MLB

    Major League Baseball
  • ITTF

    International Table Tennis Federation
  • NFL

    Nactional Football Leagues
  • FISB

    Federation Internationale de Speedball

About Us

I Dig® is a leading global brand that makes it more enjoyable to surf the internet, conduct transactions and access, share, and create information.  Today I Dig® attracts millions of users every month.r

 

Phone: (800) 737. 6040
Fax: (800) 825 5558
Website: www.idig.com
Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Affiliated