Why Real Madrid depend upon Luka Modric - the 'backbone' of Los Blancos
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ByEurosport
Updated 08/02/2016 at 14:25 GMT
Sergio Ramos has singled out the player he believes is key to Real Madrid's resurgence - and he is not the club's record goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo.
Real Madrid's Croatian midfielder Luka Modric celebrates a goal during the Spanish league football match Granada FC vs Real Madrid CF at Nuevo Los Carmenes stadium in Granada on February 7, 2016.
Image credit: AFP
The Los Blancos captain paid his own personal tribute to the Croatian attacking midfielder Luka Modric after he struck the winning goal with five minutes remaining of a 2-1 success at Granada on Sunday.
Youssef El-Arabi restored parity for the home side after Karim Benzema's 11th goal in nine Liga games had handed Zinedine Zidane's side the lead.
Madrid continue to trail leaders Barcelona by four points having played one more game, but look a more potent threat before they host Athletic Bilbao at the Bernabeu on Saturday.
Modric settled the game in Madrid's favour when he accepted a pass from Mateo Kovacic before thumping the ball into the corner of the net from distance after taking a couple of touches.
It was a thrilling finish to sink Granada from a man Madrid paid £30 million to land from Tottenham four years ago.
Modric remains a pivotal figure in the hole in the final third for Madrid in using his vision and passing ability to find space for his companions to flourish.
His goal today makes him more visible, but for me what he brings to the game is a must," said Ramos on Spanish TV. "He's never marked out much, but he is the backbone of the team.
"We had chances to kill the game, but we didn't and it was difficult for us then.
"In the end, the team persisted and Luka scored a great goal to give us the three points," commented Ramos.
"People have the image of us at the Bernabeu mastering games, pressing up and today there was not much of that, but there are positive conclusions to draw.
"We have to keep getting better."
Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane extolled the benefits of Modric having operated in his a similar position in his own career.
Zidane has won four matches and drawn one, scoring 16 goals and conceding only one since succeeding Rafael Benitez as coach last month.
“He (Modric) scored a fantastic goal, that gave us a boost, and above all, the three points," said Zidane.
I am very happy with him because he needs to shoot more. He knows how to play in a lot of positions, also in 10. He had a phenomenal shot and I am happy for him.
Ramos was also quick to appreciate the benefits of France forward Karim Benzema.
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Sergio Ramos and Karim Benzema.
Image credit: Eurosport
"His streak is good for us, he could have scored a second, but still he's a tremendous joy," said Ramos.
"At his best, he is a unique player."
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