Luka Modric injury blow for Real Madrid
Real Madrid have been dealt another injury blow as the club confirmed that midfielder Luka Modric picked up a thigh injury during Croatia's Euro 2016 qualifier against Bulgaria, as per the reports on Marca. There is further bad news for Spanish coach Rafa Benitez as the Croatian is set to be sidelined for up to three weeks and is likely to miss out in their Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain.
The 30-year-old played in his country’s 3-0 victory over Bulgaria but was forced to be withdrawn out of action at half-time. On Tuesday, Croatia faced Malta but the former Tottenham midfielder did not feature in the game as he sat out and witnessed his teammates secure a 1-0 win from the sidelines.
It was a crucial victory for the Croatians as they clinched automatic qualification to next summer’s European Championship which will be held in France. Modric made seven appearances for the Galacticos this season and after his injury he immediately underwent tests. The club later revealed the extent of the injury on Wednesday.
"Following tests carried out on Luka Modric by the Real Madrid medical team, he has been found to have a muscular injury in the adductor muscle in his right leg.” the statement was read on the club's website.
"His situation will be closely monitored,” the statement added.
Ominously, there has been no time frame given for the Madrid playmaker’s recovery so far.
Benzema among other players to join Madrid’s casualty list this season
This news just adds more to the injury woes of Los Blancos who confirmed earlier this week that Karim Benzema is another player in the club’s casualty list. The French star was taken off during France’s friendly match against Armenia over the weekend.
Benzema is now expected to miss La Liga fixtures against Celta Vigo, Levante and Las Palmas as well as the Champions League double-header against French giant PSG. The former Lyon striker scored twice in the win over Armenia to end a one-year goal drought with France and he had been in stunning form for the Galacticos.
The 27-year-old has made 6 league appearances so far this season and has found the back of the net 6 times. The Spanish coach will miss the striker’s presence up front and Benitez is likely to replace the Frenchman with Jese Rodriguez who will occupy the left flank while the Portugal captain Cristiano Ronaldo will move in central to fill in the void left during Benzema’ s absence.