Luka Modric makes the like of Ronaldo look good- Raul

Babalola Tomiwa

Former Real Madrid captain, Raul has attributed the success of the current Real Madrid to the creativity of Croatian midfielder, Luka Modric, saying his injury caused the Galacticos a lot in the course of the season.

The 37 year-old Al Sadd SC player said this ahead of the champions league clash between the Madrid rivals, with the host already beaten the Carlo Ancelotti's men 4 times already and drew 2 of their last six meetings.

Raul is expecting a tight encounter and believes it will be Modric, rather than the likes of Cristiano Ronaldo or Gareth Bale, who could make the difference.

He told L’Equipe: “I think the superstars like Ronaldo, [Karim] Benzema, Bale, Arda Turan and Koke will be prominent but I think the key to Real Madrid’s success could be Luka Modric.

“We are well aware of the void created by his injury. He is the leader of the orchestra and if Atletico do not open the game up – which is likely – a player like Modric, with his qualities, will be very valuable. He sees spaces before everyone else and has an exceptional reading of the game.

“For Atletico, Antoine Griezmann should do well. He has performed well since the start of the year and the Madrid defence needs to be careful.”

“It’ll be interesting. There will be a lot of intensity and Atletico will surely want revenge after losing the final to Madrid last year,” he added. “I would prefer, of course, that Madrid go through but it is the hardest tie of the quarter-finals to predict. It’s almost 50-50.”

Raul enjoyed a glittering career at the Santiago Bernabeu and remains the club’s all-time leading goalscorer. The 37-year-old experienced countless Madrid derbies and remembers well the build up to the game in the city.

“I have some very good memories [of the fixture] because I think I won more than I lost,” he said. “They were always big games and the atmosphere was so special. The city was in turmoil in the week leading up to the game. Everyone spoke only about this game. It’s almost as important as the Clasico [Madrid versus Barcelona].

“I remember my first goal in La Liga was against Atletico during the 1994-95 season in a derby win at the Bernabeu. I will never forget that game or the goal which remains one of the most beautiful of my career.” Goal