Luka Modrić (foto: Getty Images)
Luka Modrić came off the bench and helped transform Milan's Serie A opener against Torino, with the Italian media crediting the Croatian veteran for changing the game.
Spremljajte Nogomanio kot prednostni vir na Googlu
Dodajte Nogomanio med priljubjene vire v Google News in
prejemajte najpomembnejše nogometne novice med prvimi.
Luka Modrić is 40 years old, but judging by the reaction in Italy after Milan's opening Serie A match, his influence on matches remains enormous.
Milan defeated Torino 2-1 away from home to begin the new league campaign with three points, and much of the post-match discussion focused on what happened after Modrić entered the pitch.
The Croatian international started on the bench before being introduced in the 56th minute. Milan were struggling to impose themselves at that stage, but the rhythm of the match soon changed.
Eight minutes after Modrić's introduction, Milan scored their first goal. The second followed as the visitors completed the turnaround and secured an important opening victory.
Corriere della Sera: Modrić changed the game
Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera highlighted coach < strong> Rúben Amorim's decision to introduce Modrić and Adrien Rabiot as the turning point.
"Amorim's double tactical move was decisive. The introduction of Modrić and Rabiot changed the game," the newspaper wrote.
But its praise for the former Real Madrid midfielder went considerably further.
According to the Italian newspaper, Modrić began influencing the match before he had even entered it.
"He takes charge practically as soon as he stands on the touchline waiting to come on. He gives football lessons and reads the game, as usual. With his appearance alone, Milan went from zero to two goals."
For a player approaching his 41st birthday, it was another striking demonstration of why Milan were so eager for him to continue for another season.
SportMediaset also praises the Croatian
SportMediaset gave Modrić a 6.5 rating despite the midfielder playing only the final part of the match.
The outlet also focused on how dramatically Milan improved following his introduction.
"Without anything particularly spectacular, with his mere presence on the pitch, Milan scored two goals in an instant," SportMediaset wrote.
That description perhaps explains Modrić's continuing value better than statistics alone.
He did not need to score or produce an extraordinary individual moment. His positioning, passing decisions and ability to control the tempo helped Milan establish the authority they had lacked earlier in the contest.
Modrić decided against retirement
The performance came shortly after Modrić explained why he chose to extend his stay at Milan rather than end his extraordinary career.
His previous one-year contract expired at the end of last season, and after Milan failed to qualify for the Champions League, there had been considerable speculation that the Croatian might finally retire.
Instead, Modrić listened to his body, spoke with his family, and decided he still had enough motivation to continue.
His ambition also goes considerably beyond helping Milan return to the Champions League.
Modrić recently made clear that a club of Milan's stature should enter a season thinking about winning trophies, rather than being satisfied merely with finishing among Serie A's Champions League places.
Still controlling games at 40
Milan's opening victory offered an early indication of why the club wanted him for another year.
Modrić no longer needs to play every minute to determine the direction of a match. Against Torino, he needed only eight minutes on the pitch before Milan found their first goal.
The Italian media noticed the difference immediately.
At 40, Modrić is no longer being judged by how much ground he covers. He is being praised for something that has defined his career for years: his ability to understand a football match faster than almost everyone around him.