Luka Modrić has surpassed Zlatan Ibrahimović to claim the record as the player over 40 with the most assists in Serie A since the 2004–05 season, reaching four assists following a 2–0 victory over Udinese. AC Milan manager Rúben Amorim defended his reliance on the veteran Croatian midfielder, stating that while the team loses defensive pressing intensity, Modrić provides match control and organizational clarity.
How Rúben Amorim Adapted Milan Tactics for Luka Modrić
When Rúben Amorim took over at San Siro, tactical adjustments threatened to expose Luka Modrić within a new 1-3-4-3 formation. Under Massimiliano Allegri, Modrić functioned as a deep-lying regista, protected by high-workrate central midfielders while registering 2,473 precise passes at a 90.4 percent success rate. Transitioning to Amorim’s more dynamic setup highlighted Modrić's low high-intensity distance tracking of 349.3 meters, the lowest among Serie A central midfielders.
Rather than dropping the veteran playmaker, Amorim adjusted his tactical block. Milan shifted from ranking 17th in restricting opponent passes down to ninth. Amorim acknowledged the defensive compromise during pre-season discussions and recent media sessions, noting that Modrić dictates the tempo better than anyone on the roster despite physical limitations.
Luka Modrić has now registered more Serie A assists since turning 40 than ANY other player since the league returned to 20 teams in 2004/05 🤯🇭🇷 pic.twitter.com/tfZzWkadAF
“Modrić can’t press all the time, but he always has the rhythm of the match in his hands and understands the game better than anyone,” Amorim said. “As a coach, I have to choose. Perhaps we lose something in the press. But, with Modrić on the field, we have more control. If we have to lose something, I prefer it to be off the ball.”
Statistical Breakdown of Modrić’s Playmaking Impact
Despite questions regarding defensive transitions, statistics underline Modrić’s irreplaceable value in build-up play. He ranks as the second-highest central midfielder in Serie A for long passes, averaging 10.4 per match, and leads the division in bypassing opponents with his distributions at 13.4 per game.
Following the league’s international break, Modrić started three consecutive Serie A fixtures. He delivered an assist to Adrien Rabiot in a draw against Sassuolo before setting up Christian Pulisic for the opening goal against Udinese. During the Udinese fixture, Modrić completed the full 90 minutes for the first time this season, recording 103 touches and completing 84 of 91 attempted passes. Only midfield partner Ardon Jashari surpassed him in overall ball touches during the match.
“When Modrić has the ball, that is my job: to attack the space at the back of the defense,” Pulisic said regarding the setup from midfield. “I saw there were meters, I got in, made a good control, and scored.”
Future Outlook at San Siro
Modrić previously stated in interviews with MARCA that the historic atmosphere of Milan was a primary driver behind his decision to join the Italian giants.
Con su rol matizado ligeramente por la llegada de Rúben Amorim, Modrić sigue siendo una pieza fundamental para el Milan gracias a su control del juego y su influencia en los resultados.
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