CorSera: ‘Look at Luka’ – how the ‘Modric effect’ has transformed Milan

Luka Modric has already been a revelation for AC Milan, and Massimiliano Allegri is among the first to realise it.

As Corriere della Sera (via MilanNews) acknowledge this morning, Modric may be 40 years old and he may have arrived at Milan at the end of his career, but he has already become the undisputed leader of the group.

Everyone at Milanello looks up to him, and if Milan already appear to be a different beast compared to last year, much of the credit goes to him for driving up the standards.

The Modric effect

The first to admit this is Massimiliano Allegri, with whom Modric has developed a special bond. The two have many moments of mutual understanding, and the Livorno-born coach wants his players to watch everything the Croatian does.

“Look at Luka,” Max keeps repeating during training sessions. Modric leaves nothing to chance (otherwise it would be impossible to still be in such good shape at 40) and is always one of the first to arrive at Milanello.

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Is it a coincidence that, unlike last year, no one is late to training anymore? The answer is no. And among the players, this phrase is going around: “If he, who has won six Champions Leagues, shows up on time, how can you possibly be late?”

This too is the ‘Modric effect’. Another note is that the Croatian is going to class every day to learn to speak Italian, just like the ‘Allegri code’ encourages. The Milan coach wanted him at all costs, convinced that even at 40, he could give so much both on and off the pitch.

Not everyone thought so, but in the end, the manager is right because the mere presence of Modric – with his work ethic, his class, and his humility – has helped raise the level of the entire Milan team.