Quique Setien

[serghei]

Xavi

1/2 a tier behind: Iniesta

1/2 a tier behind that: Modric Pirlo

Then,

Lampard Gerrard Alonso Sneijder Silva Scholes

My main metric is NT and CL dominance. The first 4 are either world champions or multiple CL champions. Xavi was so dominant in his heyday that he was an entire system of play. I have to admit, I'm envious RM got Modric. He was IMO easily the 2nd most important cog in their CL dynasty.

There's more than a 1/2 tier between Iniesta and Modric imo. Agree that Xavi ranks the highest and is in a tier by itself. Spain NT basically fell of a cliff after he declined. Their 4 years of elite performance coincided basically with Xavi's peak as a footballer.

Modric and Pirlo are in the same tier with Scholes for me.

I'd have it something like.

Xavi (solid candidate for greatest CM of all time)
Iniesta (all time great CM)

Modric, Pirlo, Schweinsteiger, Scholes, Busquets etc. (Among the very best CMs of their generation, legends for their clubs)

Lampard, Gerrard, Silva, Sneijder, Kroos, Xabi Alonso, Nedved, and others (Legends in their own right and very accomplished world class midfielders).

All world class obviously. We're talking about tiers of greatness here.

 

[Horatio]

Iniesta is the type of player that would be able to shine in any team. Not sure with Modric.

 

[serghei]

Iniesta is the type of player that would be able to shine in any team. Not sure with Modric.

The problem with Modric is that, although he is a world class player, Madrid were often dominated in midfield, at home even, by Juve, Bayern, and often spanked in the clasico by Barcelona.

He doesn't influence the game continuously like Iniesta, let alone Xavi, did.

No way do teams come on Camp Nou and outplay Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, the way many teams did to Kroos and Modric.

 

[Morten]

The problem with Modric is that, although he is a world class player, Madrid were often dominated in midfield, at home even, by Juve, Bayern, and often spanked in the clasico by Barcelona.

He doesn't influence the game continuously like Iniesta, let alone Xavi, did.

No way do teams come on Camp Nou and dominate Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, the way many teams did to Kroos and Modric.

You have a poor memory, Juve/Bayern you were talking about he was past his prime already.
Its like, going after Xavi for having poor games from 13-15.

 

[KingLeo10]

The problem with Modric is that, although he is a world class player, Madrid were often dominated in midfield, at home even, by Juve, Bayern, and often spanked in the clasico by Barcelona.

He doesn't influence the game continuously like Iniesta, let alone Xavi, did.

No way do teams come on Camp Nou and dominate Xavi and Iniesta in midfield, the way many teams did to Kroos and Modric.

Rolls royce football and build up from the midfield. Wouldn't give it up for 2-3 flukey CL wins (not a shot at Madrid just ugly CL winning).

 

[serghei]

You have a poor memory, Juve/Bayern you were talking about he was past his prime already.
Its like, going after Xavi for having poor games from 13-15.

Ok, so when is his prime. When we were trashing you 4-0 with old Iniesta running the show on Bernabeu back in 2016 getting applauded by your own fans? Or in 2015 when we were winning the treble?

 

[Morten]

Ok, so when is his prime. When we were trashing you 4-0 with old Iniesta running the show on Bernabeu back in 2016 getting applauded by your own fans? Or in 2015 when we were winning the treble?

2015? Another poor example, you won the league basically because of a Modric injury.

 

[serghei]

2015? Another poor example, you won the league basically because of a Modric injury.

No, that was MSN tearing everyone apart. You lost the league because we had 3 of the best 4 players in the world running our attack.

 

[Morten]

No, that was MSN tearing everyone apart.

The CL and the cup, sure, not the league though.
We had a solid lead, and then everything went downhill once Modric got a long-term injury.

Doesnt matter how much MSN "tore everyone apart", they dont make up the difference in points without Modric going down.

 

[KingLeo10]

Imagine thinking a team that won 36 out of 40 games from Jan - June, won a treble, scored 175 goals and only conceded 37 in 60 games, won 50 out of 60 games that season only achieved league success because of a Modric injury.

 

[serghei]

The CL and the cup, sure, not the league though.
We had a solid lead, and then everything went downhill once Modric got a long-term injury.

Doesnt matter how much MSN "tore everyone apart", they dont make up the difference in points without Modric going down.

That was also the year Ancelotti did little rotation. You started to lose steam midseason as you were fatigued. There's no doubt 2014-15 Barcelona was superior team to your team, with or without Modric.

 

[Morten]

Imagine thinking a team that won 36 out of 40 games from Jan - June, won a treble, scored 175 goals and only conceded 37 in 60 games, won 50 out of 60 games that season only achieved success because of a Modric injury.

Not what i said, try again.

 

[Morten]

That was also the year Ancelotti did little rotation. You started to lose steam midseason as you were fatigued.

Doesnt matter how much or how little rotation he did, Modric stays fit, we likely keep winning enough league matches.

It doesnt really matter though, the point is simple, 2015 is a really poor example on your behalf, as it really showed the importance of Modric.

 

[serghei]

Not what i said, try again.

You made it sound as if we won the league because Modric got injured.

That's a treble team that had the greatest attack assembled in club football history.

Doesnt matter how much or how little rotation he did, Modric stays fit, we likely keep winning enough league matches.

It doesnt really matter though, the point is simple, 2015 is a really poor example on your behalf, as it really showed the importance of Modric.

Purely speculation. Where's your proof that you keep winning league matches if Modric stays fit?

The discussion is not about whether Modric was important for Madrid. The discussion is about comparing Modric to Xavi and Iniesta. Even old Iniesta ran the show head to head vs Modric in the Clasico.

 

[Morten]

You made it sound as if we won the league because Modric got injured.

That's a treble team that had the greatest attack assembled in club football history.

YOU brought up 2015 as an example of how "poor" Modric was, thats on you, not me.
Our season actually went downhill WHEN he got injuried, it proves the opposite of what you were trying to say.