Luka Modric is set to remain a central figure in Milan's midfield this season, with Ruben Amorim ready to build around him from the opening game against Torino on Sunday.
The picture around Modric had looked different not long ago. When his renewal was being discussed, the expectation was that he would function as a part-time option given his age, a player managed carefully across the campaign rather than one Amorim would depend on week to week.
That reading has not held up, according to Gazzetta dello Sport. In this morning's edition, the paper reports that the Croatian will be a regular starter, with Amorim handing him the midfield again from the Torino match onwards.
Modric had appeared close to ending his playing career over the summer before reversing that decision, driven by the aim of winning with Milan as a player, as he explained in a recent interview. He trained through the off-season to be ready if he chose to renew, so returning in full condition came as no surprise.
Amorim has made clear he sees Modric as a starter, though the plan includes managed rest to keep him fresh across the season rather than asking for every minute.
The Torino opener will be the first sign of how Amorim intends to balance the two, leaning on a 39-year-old's control in the middle while protecting his legs for the months ahead.