GdS: ‘More Modric than ever’ – why Milan will rely on their midfield leader in pursuit of top

With AC Milan gripped by an injury crisis, Massimiliano Allegri will hope that Luka Modric can lead his side into top spot.

As La Gazzetta dello Sport report, while some of his team-mates have been sidelined by injuries, Modric has navigated the international break without any problems and he will return to lead the team in the middle of the park.

His virtuous management has also contributed: while Pulisic and Rabiot got muscle problems on international duty, Modric racked up 192 appearances for Croatia without feeling the strain. He played 90 minutes in the first game, but then came off the bench for 20 minutes against Gibraltar.

Modric’s importance is clear to see: he leads La Gazzetta’s average player ratings in the league so far with 7.25. Rabiot follows with 6.88 and Pulisic with 6.58, but both will be forced to sit out until the next November break.

Photos: Claudio Villa/AC Milan via Getty Images

The Rossoneri’s record-breaker

Modric, meanwhile, will be able to consolidate another record. Among midfielders, he is already the player with the most minutes on the pitch in Serie A with 515. It is more than Rabiot, who arrived a week late to the start of the season, but also more than Fofana and Saelemaekers.

No one among the forwards can match Luka’s pace, either: the only team-mate with more minutes played is Matteo Gabbia, with 540 minutes, 15 years younger than him. Modric surpasses him when considering seasonal usage: including international appearances, his total rises to 757 minutes.

This amount of minutes hasn’t overshadowed his quality. Among other records, he’s the player with the most passes completed since the start of the 2025-26 Serie A season He completed 368 passes in the first six games at a percentage that never dropped below 90%, peaking at 95% against Udinese.

This fact highlights Modric’s impact on the game and his role as a regista and playmaker. He will be central in Milan’s build-up tonight, and among the opponents who will try to limit him tonight will be his compatriot Marin Pongracic.

Milan decimated

Modric will have to be more involved than ever, as there are so many gaps to fill. The known absences of Rabiot and Pulisic are joined by those of Nkunku (hurt while playing for France) and Estupinan.

In addition to Jashari, who has a long-term injury, Allegri also risks having to deal with a last-minute withdrawal from the squad in Loftus-Cheek, who is a strong doubt. Today will be the crucial test and if RLC is also forced to miss the match due to fatigue, there will be a re-shuffle.

Saelemaekers will move to the attacking midfielder role with Athekame on the right. Allegri will assemble the best possible line-up, leaving some back-up options on the bench. Gimenez’s exclusion (barring any surprises) would be strategic: Max would keep a card to play during the match.

A decimated Milan are battling for the top spot. Napoli’s defeat offers them a chance to overtake them in the standings, as does Inter’s victory against Roma. Conte, Gasperini and the Nerazzurri are now on 15 points. With three points tonight Milan would move top, but Modric’s help is needed.