Luka Modric’s first season in red and black came with a full workload and plenty of control in Serie A. Across 32 league matches and 2713 minutes, the Croatian midfielder delivered the kind of tempo-setting football that makes teammates breathe easier. The stat sheet is not loud on goals, but the distribution, range and defensive reading stood out on Sofascore.

Trusted minutes in Serie A

Modric featured in 32 league games and logged 2713 minutes, which works out to about 85 minutes per appearance. Among central midfielders who played at least 60% of available minutes in 2025/26, that ranked 3rd for matches and 2nd for minutes. Availability matters, and Milan leaned on him weekly.

Passing range and build-up value

He averaged 60.5 accurate passes per game, ranking 2nd in that group, and hit long balls at 74.3% accuracy, also 2nd. The heat map shows heavy activity across central zones and the right half-space, with touches spilling into both boxes when the game demanded it. Milan’s build-up often flowed through his feet, with switches that opened full-backs and quick vertical clips that advanced the front line.

Defensive work and positioning

Modric’s anticipation remained sharp. He led the sample of 42 central midfielders with 5.72 ball recoveries per game. That figure underlines how often he read loose balls, stepped into passing lanes and kick-started Milan’s transitions without diving into unnecessary tackles.

End product vs influence

The headline numbers up top read 2 goals and 3 assists. That is mid-table for output, but the broader influence was clear in possession control, field coverage and recovery volume. The combination placed him 2nd for overall Sofascore Rating among central midfielders meeting the minutes threshold, at 7.54.

Where it leaves his season

For AC Milan, having a high-usage midfielder who keeps attacks tidy and resets pressure was a steadying force. Modric’s passing rhythm and recovery work were consistent anchors during 2025/26. If you track performance beyond the box score, the Sofascore page paints a season of quiet authority.