Due to a thigh injury, Luka Modric may miss Real Madrid’s Copa del Rey final match against Osasuna as well as the first leg of the Champions League semifinal versus Manchester City.
During Madrid’s unexpected 4-2 loss to Girona on Tuesday, which kept them 11 points behind LaLiga’s top team Barcelona, Modric suffered an injury to his left leg.
The setback comes at a bad moment for Los Blancos as they prepare to visit City three days after trying to break a nine-year drought by winning the Copa del Rey on May 6.
Asked about Modric’s fitness ahead of Saturday’s fixture against Almeria, Ancelotti acknowledged losing the Croatian’s experience would be a big setback.
“He got an injury in the game against Girona. We will see how he progresses in the next few days,” Ancelotti said.
“He will be doubtful for the Copa final. We must evaluate him, we are hurt, but it can happen. I hope he recovers for the important matches.
“We have very important midfielders like Federico Valverde, Eduardo Camavinga and Aurelien Tchouameni. We have many resources.
“But to replace Luka… you cannot replace his experience in these kinds of games.”
Modrić medical report.#RealMadrid
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Madrid have won just four of their past nine league games (D2 L3) to allow Barca to pull clear at the summit.
Pushed on why Madrid had failed to replicate their cup heroics in LaLiga this term, Ancelotti said: “I don’t know, it’s a matter of concentration, it’s normal, not always being able to be at the top.
“The schedule is very demanding and I see many coaches complaining about this. We are human and it’s the truth, sometimes I can’t prepare all the games in the same way either.
“In some games you concentrate better, and in others it’s worse. It happens to everyone, good days and bad ones.
“You have to trust the players. I see the group in great shape. What happened last season was unforgettable and we want to repeat it.”