Modric revels in winning start

Posted Friday, August 31, 2012 by ESPN

Luka Modric was delighted after his Real Madrid debut ended with his side lifting the Supercopa after victory over Barcelona.

The Croatia playmaker, a summer signing from Tottenham, took to the field for the first time at the Bernabeu when he replaced Mesut Ozil in the 83rd minute of Wednesday's second leg.

He was denied a debut goal when a shot from near the penalty spot was blocked by the Barca defence but Real won the game 2-1 to level the tie at 4-4 on aggregate and win on away goals.

"I am very happy," Modric told AS. "It could not have started any better.

"I thank the fans for the love they showed me, and my team-mates understood me very well.

"I've noticed that Spanish football is more technical than English football. I know expectations are high in this team. Now I will work very hard to help the team.

"Mourinho did not have to tell me that much. I was not really nervous - a little at first, but that disappeared when I got my first touch."

Full-back Alvaro Arbeloa saw signs of potential in his new team-mate's brief appearance, and said: "Modric did not play for long but everything he did, he did well."

Madrid's goals came from Gonzalo Higuain and Cristiano Ronaldo in the first 20 minutes and though Lionel Messi responded with a free-kick, Barca could not find the equaliser which would have won them the trophy.

Ronaldo said: "We started the match very well, we scored two goals and had a lot of confidence in our play.

"In the second half I think we conceded a goal just because we began to get tired. I have to improve and we need to as a team.

"This trophy will give us confidence and we have to enjoy it, but we must look forward."

Modric was not the only new face on show as Barca's own recruit from north London, former Arsenal midfielder Alex Song, also made his debut from the bench.

Coach Tito Vilanova said: "(Sergio) Busquets was very tired and I think Alex, who had completed the (training) sessions well, got some good minutes on the field."

While disappointed with last night's result, Vilanova is keen to put the defeat behind him.

"We would rather have won the trophy, of course, but this is not going to affect or influence anything," he said.

"A lot of football remains until the month of May and on Sunday we have a league match."