Real Madrid captain Luka Modric has called on his teammates to keep their sights firmly set on this weekend’s La Liga clash with Villarreal, rather than looking ahead to their highly anticipated Champions League quarter-final against Arsenal in April. The veteran midfielder’s comments come fresh off Real Madrid’s hard-fought victory over Atletico Madrid in the Round of 16, securing their spot in the last eight of Europe’s premier competition.
The Spanish giants will face off against Arsenal, who advanced after a commanding performance against PSV Eindhoven in midweek. This marks the first Champions League encounter between the two clubs since Arsenal’s memorable triumph over Real Madrid in 2006, a historic moment for the North London side. With both teams in top form—Real Madrid as reigning La Liga champions and Arsenal riding high in the Premier League—the April tie promises to be a blockbuster showdown.
Speaking in a post-match interview after the narrow win against Atletico, Modric emphasized the importance of staying grounded. “Well, we will see, there is still a long way to go until that match,” he said. “Now we have to focus on Villarreal and go calmly with the international break. Arsenal is a very good team and it’s going to be another interesting knockout round. But as I have said, we need to prepare for Villarreal first, we have to win there and then we will take the time to think about Arsenal.”
Modric’s words reflect his seasoned leadership as Real Madrid navigates a packed schedule. The Villarreal match, set for this weekend, is a critical fixture in their La Liga title defense, with every point vital in a tightly contested race. Only after that, and with the international break providing a breather, will the squad turn its attention to Arsenal—a team Modric acknowledged as “very good,” hinting at the challenge ahead.
For Real Madrid, the Champions League quarter-finals loom large, scheduled for April 8 and 16, but Modric’s message is clear: discipline and focus now will set the stage for success later. As the 39-year-old maestro guides his team, fans eagerly await both the domestic test against Villarreal and the European spectacle against Arsenal.
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