Raul backs Luka Modric to shine against Atletico Madrid

Real Madrid legend Raul believes that Luka Modric is the man to inspire the Blancos to victory in their first-leg Champions League quarter-final trip to Atletico Madrid.

Much has been made over how influential the visitors' attacking trident of Cristiano Ronaldo, Gareth Bale and Karim Benzema could be this evening.

However, Raul says that Modric, who returned from a three-month layoff in February, could be the player most capable of hurting Real's bitter rivals.

He told L'Equipe: "I think the superstars like Ronaldo, [Karim] Benzema, Bale, Arda Turan and Koke will be prominent but I think the key to Real Madrid's success could be Luka Modric.

"He is the leader of the orchestra and if Atletico do not open the game up – which is likely – a player like Modric, with his qualities, will be very valuable.

"He sees spaces before everyone else and has an exceptional reading of the game. We are well aware of the void created by his injury."

The return leg is scheduled to take place at the Santiago Bernabeu next Wednesday.