The impact of Toni Kroos at Real Madrid has gained much recognition, particularly in the UEFA Champions League.
Real Madrid Are Feeling The Absence Of German Great Toni Kroos
Figures show that Los Blancos performed greatly in their last 4 UEFA Champions League matches with Kroos compared to their first 4 games in the competition without the former German footballer.
Real Madrid recorded 3 wins and 1 draw in their last 4 games with Toni Kroos while picking up just 2 wins and 2 draws without him.
Toni Kroos At Real Madrid
Kroos closed his chapter at Los Merengues with the 2023/24 UEFA Champions League crown, but the Spanish side have found it difficult to get favorable results this campaign.
Toni Kroos retired from football in July 2024, after Germany’s exit in the quarter-final of the UEFA European Championship.
The German was mesmeric for Real Madrid in his decade-spell at the club, helping them claim several trophies, including 5 UEFA Champions League titles.
Kroos was known for his vision, passing, crossing, and set-piece ability. He could also change the course of a game within split seconds.
He made 465 appearances for Real Madrid, scoring 28 goals and providing 99 assists across all competitions.
In his final season at Los Blancos, Toni Kroos made 48 appearances for the Spanish giants, scoring 1 goal and providing 10 assists in all competitions.
Real Madrid Without Toni Kroos
It appears Real Madrid are feeling the absence of a player like Kroos, and they will need to sort that problem out in the not-too-distant future.
Los Blancos have many runners in the middle of the park, but they don’t have many players that can dictate the tempo of a game.
Moreover, they lack an elite passer, who can thread a decisive ball forward that can open defenses.
Toni Kroos was a player who could dictate the pace of the game, bringing calm and control in crucial moments.
Real Madrid’s current midfielders, including Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham, have not managed to replicate what Kroos consistently brought to the team.
Luka Modric can offer certain things Kroos brought to Los Blancos although he is a different player compared to the latter.
Modric is a midfield stalwart, but he can’t play week in and week out at the same intensity anymore due to his age.
Real Madrid look to have identified this lacuna in their midfield department, and reports indicate that they are keen on signing a midfielder in the summer of 2025.
Real Madrid
Los Blancos look to return to winning ways on Saturday, November 9, 2024, when they welcome Osasuna to the Santiago Bernabeu.
Carlo Ancelotti’s side have lost their two games, as they were beaten by Barcelona 4-0 in El Clásico, followed up by a 3-1 defeat to AC Milan in the UEFA Champions League.
Those defeats were sandwiched between witnessing Vinicius Jr being snubbed for the Ballon d’Or award.
Real Madrid currently occupy the 2nd position in La Liga, having amassed 24 points from 11 matches.
Los Merengues also presently sit in the 18th position on the UEFA Champions League standings, outside positions for automatic qualification to the knockout stages of the competition.
