Reinvented Regista role and dirty work: How Luka Modric has tactically transformed AC Milan

"Sometimes, a signing arrives that changes everything from day one. They are rare, but AC Milan have hit the jackpot with one: Luka Modric. Modric might have landed in Serie A at the age of 39 and has recently turned 40, but age is just a number. He has been nothing short of a revelation since he arrived at Milan with his levels of performance but also helping to build a new, more positive culture in the dressing room."

"Modric always positions himself under the ball which means that he is always open to receiving the ball from his team-mates in a deeper position thereby not allowing opposition to press. In this sequence, Tomori is moving into a pressing trap laid by Lecce where they look to out number Tomori in the wide areas. Modric adjust his position to receive the ball from the defender via a back pass and switch play thereby catching the opposition out."

"Modric would angle himself between two defenders to act as a passing option when opposition press higher up the pitch. Not every time does Modric have to act as a passing option but sometimes he can engage an opponent and prevent creating 2v1 situations. Here we can see Gabbia is free to receive the ball from Maignan, as the Bologna player is engaged in pressing Modric and is afraid to leave"

Luka Modric arrived at AC Milan at 39 and, despite turning 40, produced consistently high-level performances and reshaped the dressing-room culture. Massimiliano Allegri placed Modric centrally as the regista in a three-man midfield, where he dictates tempo and contributes significantly in both phases. Modric leads Serie A in multiple passing metrics and elevates teammates' play. He has reinvented himself in a deeper role similar to Pirlo by positioning under the ball to receive passes from defenders, avoiding opposition press, and switching play. He angles between defenders as a passing option, sometimes engages opponents to prevent 2v1s, and creates space for teammates like Gabbia to receive from Maignan.

Read at SempreMilan