The Croatian ‘can play without problem’, according to Real boss Carlo Ancelotti.
Real Madrid’s Luka Modric has been passed fit to face Manchester City in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League semi-final on Tuesday.
The 2018 Ballon d’Or winner has been sidelined in recent weeks with an unspecified knock that could rule him out for the rest of the season, according to early reports.
However, the Croatian midfielder recovered earlier than expected and appeared as a late substitute in the European champions’ Copa del Rey final win over Osasuna on Saturday.
“He can play without problems,” manager Carlo Ancelotti said at his pre-match press conference in the Spanish capital. “Will play.”
Modric’s return to the fight at the Bernabeu is another boost to the holders’ confidence after the weekend triumph.
Real had lost two of their previous three games in LaLiga, but with the domestic title seemingly destined for Barcelona, Ancelotti appears to have favored the knockout competitions.
The Italian said: “We want to play a complete game, give our best. The decisive section will be there. We want to drive with advantage.
“We want to play well. It’s not just about the result, it’s about how we play and if we avoid problems. It will be very challenging.”
The tie is a replay of last year’s semi-final, where Real won in dramatic circumstances in the second leg at the Bernabeu.
City led 1-0 on the night and 5-3 on aggregate when they capitulated in extra time and conceded twice before losing in extra time.
Since then, the top three-chasing Premier League leaders have regrouped and boast one of the most feared strikers in the game thanks to new signing Erling Haaland.
Haaland has scored a remarkable 51 goals this term and Ancelotti admits the Norwegian has made an already formidable side even stronger.
Ancelotti said: “The squad is more complete than last year.
“Gabriel Jesus was very dangerous, but different from Haaland. The style is the same but now they can use more long balls and second options.
“Haaland is very dangerous. We have to watch him and it’s not just him. They are playing very good football and we have to work to stop a team that seems unstoppable.
“But we have options. We are coming here well, at the same level as last season. Our motivation is important and winning the cup was a bonus.”