Luka Modric Injury: Updates on Real Madrid Star's Thigh and Return

Tom SunderlandNov 16, 2014

Luka Modric is set to return for Real Madrid in Tuesday's Champions League tie with Schalke.

The crafty midfielder picked up a thigh problem during Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifier with Italy in November. He is almost ready to feature once more, however.

Continue for updates.

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Modric Available Off the Bench vs. Schalke

Tuesday, March 10

Real Madrid announced that Modric will come off the bench in the club's match against Schalke.

On March 6, Carlo Ancelotti revealed in his pre-match press conference that Modric would emerge from the bench during Tuesday's Champions League last-16 second leg with Schalke. Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC provided the translation:

Ancelotti had previously confirmed Modric's imminent reappearance, per Nicholas Rigg of AS:

Modric Continues to Train With First Team

Thursday, March 5

AS reported on Modric, who continues to train with the Real Madrid squad as he regains his fitness.

Ancelotti recently confirmed Modric will receive time to rediscover his match fitness ahead of March 22's Clasico with Barcelona (h/t De La Rosa): "Modric will play before the Barca-Madrid game and will be ready for the Camp Nou."

Croatia Blame Madrid for Modric Injury

Friday, Dec. 12

Croatia coach Niko Kovac insists Modric's injury was caused by Madrid overworking the midfielder over the past 12 months. Dermot Corrigan of ESPN FC provided quotes from Marca:

"
This injury was produced by the big number of games he has played. We have travelled with a Real Madrid doctor to visit [Richard] Wolfhart-Muller in Munich, to get a second opinion about Luka's injury and he has confirmed what we had said to the club. It is a pretty serious problem, but his recovery is going well and we hope to see him again on the pitch in March.
"

Ancelotti Reveals Modric Plan

Thursday, Nov. 20

Ancelotti previously confessed Modric is a "hugely key player" to lose for the European champions, but he told Spanish national radio, per AS, how his side manage to cope in the player's absence:

"
The idea is pretty straight forward; we have an array of players to cover these type of situations. Last year we faced a similar problem with Khedira’s injury. We’ll resolve the problem using another midfielder. (Sami) Khedira, (Asier) Illarramendi and of course we can play Isco in that position although he’s not used to that role, but it’s an alternative we can look at for certain games.
"

Modric Stunned by Injury Setback

Wednesday, Nov. 19

Modric revealed he was shocked when doctors told him his thigh muscle would rule him out for three months. Modric spoke to Sportske Novosti, per Enis Koylu of Goal.com:

"
It's a despair.
The real shock came when the doctors told me that my recovery would last for three months. I was speechless.
I thought I'd be out for some time, but I never imagined it could be for three months.
"

Modric Diagnosed With Tear

Monday, Nov. 17

The extent of Modric's damage was confirmed in an official statement issued by Madrid:

"
After the imagining tests carried out by the Real Madrid Sanitas Medical Service on Luka Modric, a tear of the left proximal rectus femoris tendon has been found. Pending a medical evaluation.
"