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AC Milan take on Parma away from home on Saturday night, and they will once again rely on Luka Modric to orchestrate.
La Gazzetta dello Sport (seen below) recall a particular game. It was 2 October 2010 when Massimiliano Allegri earned his first away win as Milan coach, in a season that would end with the title. Andrea Pirlo got the crucial goal, with a strike from no less than 40 yards.
Now, on 8 November 2025, Allegri is back at Milan, back in Parma and in search of his 100th victory. The keys to the team are entrusted to another midfield champion: Modric. Zlatan Ibrahimovic was in that team, but tonight he will be in Parma as a director.
In the Milan of 2010, there was also Ronaldinho. Milan in 2025 have another highly talented striker with braids, Leao. The similarities (for now) end there: Pirlo’s Milan won, Modric’s will try tonight, hoping to go top while waiting for Napoli, Inter and Roma to play.
Regista influence
As mentioned, Pirlo scored that decisive goal at the Tardini 15 years ago from long range after receiving the ball in midfield. The reins now belong to Luka Modric, and he’s firmly in control. The Croatian will play his 11th start in 11 matches: he has never relinquished the sceptre.
Luka directs with authority, imposing his play. He leads Serie A among his counterparts in terms of number of balls played, number of passes completed, and number of passes in the final third of the pitch.
He also ranks second in defensive duels won. Modric supports the defence, holds the midfield, and participates in the attack like no other midfielder. Against Atalanta, in the penultimate round, he also received his first yellow card, showing he will put himself fully at the service of the team.
A question of management
At 40 years of age, Modric is playing alongside team-mates 15 to 20 years younger than him. There is only one player who has remained on the pitch longer than him in the league: the 26-year-old Matteo Gabbia who has been used for 900 minutes. Luka has been used for 875 minutes, so 25 less.
Of the total available, Modric missed 16 minutes of the first game against Cremonese and another nine in Udine, where the substitution was greeted with a standing ovation. He has played more than Saelemaekers and all the others, but is this sustainable?
Fatigue does not cloud him though, as he was top among Milan players for completed passes (38), attempted crosses (7), recoveries (7), touches (6) and created chances (2). He was second for completed passes in the opposition midfield (8).
Modric only rested in the Coppa Italia match against Lecce. However, he did run for another 218 minutes with the Croatian national team, with whom – speaking of impressive numbers – he has now reached 192 appearances. His tally will increase further during the upcoming break.
It is unlikely that the Croatia boss Dalic will give him much time to breathe. Then, once he returns to Milanello, Luka will be involved in the most intense of preparations ahead of his first derby. His six previous meetings with the Nerazzurri have been favourable, with five wins and one loss.
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