The coronavirus has halted the progression of Valverde and Camavinga, who had grown in influence at the end of 2021. The former started against Cádiz and Athletic, while the latter completed the 90 minutes in Bilbao. However, neither can be against Getafe and Alcoyano. This forces Ancelotti to return to his Praetorian guard with Casemiro, Kroos, and Modric. They have not played together since last December 12 in the derby. After that game, the Croatian tested positive for coronavirus and has been ill ever since. Kroos has been the only one who has played the next two games, since Casemiro, although he has not been infected, missed the Athletic one due to the accumulation of yellow cards.
When they play together they are a fairly safe asset for Madrid. This season they have done it eight times in the league, with a balance of seven wins and one loss. In the Champions League, they have shared ownership in the last four days of the group stage, all of them coming out with victory. Kroos’ pubalgia at the beginning of the course and some absences of Modric due to injury or illness have not allowed them to coincide more often. The one that has had the most presence has been the Brazilian, who already has 1,912 minutes and less than 10% of possible time has been lost.
The passage of time does not seem to pass through them. Despite the fact that the three of them have an average age of 32 years, the arrival of young people has not made them lose their status. The most special case is that of Modric, who at 36 is living a second youth. While it is true that he is currently dosing his efforts, the truth is that he is still one of the best and most used Ancelotti players.
The real problem for Ancelotti could be in the parts. Valverde and Camavinga were his two favorite players to rest the trident. Without them, he is left with two players that he has not had until now, although for different reasons: Isco, who lives his last season at Madrid and is out of the rotation, and Ceballos, who has just come out of a serious ankle injury. Both, looking to go out in summer, will have the perfect opportunity to shine again dressed in white.