Alarm bells are ringing at Real Madrid after Croatia were forced to withdraw injured Luca Modric, in Croatia’s 1-1 draw against Wales in Cardiff on Sunday evening. Though Wales captain Gareth Bale continued the match till the end, He left the ground with a limping leg.
The Real Madrid midfielder had to leave the field after Croatia’s medical team tried to treat his right leg during the match. Earlier Modric returned to Spain injured after the last round of international fixtures as well, having to sit out more than two weeks.
“According to the doctors, Modric has had a painful knock to the quads,” Nikola Jerkan, a member of Croatia’s medical staff, said to Radio MARCA. “Logically, people are worried about the Clasico, but it doesn’t seem very bad.”
Bale Update
On the other hand, Ryan Giggs was a bit optimistic while detailing on Wales superstar Gareth Bale injury concern as he hobbled out of a combative clash with Croatia.
The Real Madrid winger was one of three Wales players who appeared to take a knock, with Dan James recovering from an early blow, Ethan Ampadu later substituted off, and Bale was then limping badly after indicating a calf issue.
Giggs assured both James and Ampadu were fine, while he was hopeful on Bale’s status. “Gareth’s just got a bit of cramp towards the end,” he told. “He didn’t want to come off, though. “It was a fantastic performance from Gareth, it was just a shame that he did get that – it was about 10 minutes really at the end, so we were down one player. “But it looks like it’s just a cramp.”
Zinedine Zidane will be nervously awaiting his evaluation, already having Toni Kroos currently recovering from his injury problems.
Croatia vs. Wales
As earlier reported, the match was being seen as a contest between Real Madrid stalwarts. Gareth Bale was quoted that he wanted to get one over on Luka Modric when Croatia would be visiting Wales for Euro 2020 qualifying.
Gareth Bale was looking forward to testing himself against last time Ballon d’Or winner Luca Modric. Croatia have won the previous match 2-1 in June. this year. He eventually scored Wales’ equalizer in Cardiff as they drew 1-1 with Group E leaders Croatia. Although they kept hope for further qualifying into knockout stage, at the same time, the result leaves Giggs’ men with plenty of work to do.
The James and Ampadu incidents were both rugged aerial challenges that earned yellow cards, while Luka Modric injured himself while hacking at Harry Wilson.
Croatia leads the Group-E with 14 points and is looking for an easy qualification, whereas Wales is at the fourth spot, although Ryan Giggs’ side have a game in hand.