Luka Modric answered the criticism that followed his subdued display against Lazio with a commanding performance in Milan's 3-0 win over Lecce on Sunday, reasserting himself as the controlling force in the Rossoneri's midfield.
The Lazio match marked a rare off day for Modric in a Milan shirt, and it was enough for a mini-narrative to build around whether the Croatian still fits Ruben Amorim's system. One game later, that conversation looks premature at best.
Against Lecce, Modric dictated tempo in a way no other midfielder in the squad can replicate. His technical level was a clear cut above, and he returned to doing what he does when the conditions suit him: receiving between the lines, setting the rhythm, and making the game move at a speed of his choosing. That particular skill set remains unique in Milan's squad, and it is precisely why he remains so effective in matches where the team has more time and space on the ball.
The broader point, though, is about how Amorim builds around him rather than whether Modric himself is the issue. Against high-pressing, physically intense sides like Lazio, the 2018 Ballon d'Or winner will need greater support from those around him, or he may simply be the smarter tactical rest, with more dynamic runners taking his place for specific fixtures. The onus falls on Milan's structure and preparation, not on the player.
Milan brought Modric to San Siro on a promise of how they would use him, and performances like Sunday's are a reminder that when the team holds up its end of that bargain, the returns speak for themselves.