Xabi Alonso believes Luka Modric needs time to settle in La Liga after the Croatian playmaker's slow start to his Real Madrid career.
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Since his lucrative off-season move to the Bernabeu, Modric has only made 20 appearances for Los Merengues with the majority of them having come from the bench.
He has been kept on the sidelines by the German duo of Mesut Ozil and Sami Khedira, who along with Alonso were instrumental in Madrid's league success last season.
However, Alonso believes Modric just needs time to find his feet with the Spanish giants, telling the media: "I don't think it's pressure.
"He plays in a position where we have several players and he's adapting to a new club and a new league.
"It took me a while to adapt on my return to La Liga.
"But he's integrated very well, he's a fantastic guy and a great player. I've no doubt that he's going to be an important player."
Alonso also played down the growing controversy in the Spanish press over a perceived fall-out between Real boss Jose Mourinho and club captain Iker Casillas.
Mourinho had dropped Casillas to the bench for two successive games and was booed by the fans before his side's 4-3 win against Real Sociedad on Sunday night.
Ironically, Casillas' replacement in the match with Sociedad was sent off after just six minutes, paving the way for Spain's number one to make his way onto the field.
Alonso added: " He (Casillas) seems fine to me. He's not used to being a substitute but he's working hard to be ready when he's needed to play. And with the coach he has a respectful, cordial relationship.
"The team trust in both Iker and Adan. The other day Adan was unlucky to be sent off in the sixth minute and Iker could do little about the goals he conceded. All other things else are technical decisions that we completely respect."
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