Modric Blames Real Madrid

By Max Wise

2018 Ballon d’or winner Luka Modric has blamed Real Madrid’s struggles this season on Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure for Juventus in the off season.

Ronaldo was Madrid’s man for the big occasion as the Portuguese bailed them out on several occasions during nine successful seasons at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ronaldo's contribution earned the club four UEFA Champions League trophies,but the five-time Ballon d'or winner exited the club after the third straight triumph in Europe.

The European champions have already gone through a managerial reshuffle, and they lie third on the Spanish league log,12 points adrift of leaders Barcelona,who they lost 1-0 to last week.

Real Madrid have lost three of their last four games in all competitions, including their last three at the Santiago Bernabeu, ahead of their Champions League showdown with Ajax Amsterdam later on Tuesday.

Modric told reporters: "He's a player every team would miss. Looking for a replacement for Cristiano is almost impossible. What he's done for this club... of course we miss Ronaldo.

"What the club tried was for other players to fulfil his role, which was divided between the attacking players. And that's not easy. Cristiano scored 50 goals and you can't find someone who scores so many.

"Some had to take a step forward and, not scoring 50, but for three players to score at least 15-20 or 10 goals. And we don't have that. That's why I think it's our biggest problem this year. For example, in the Copa against Barcelona, we had a lot of chances but an opponent with so much quality punishes you."