Real Madrid held their own at the Allianz Arena, thanks to some individual brilliance from their players. The 1st Leg of the Champions League semifinal proved to be a bit tricky for Los Blancos. But the array of stars and quality players they had in their team proved to be helpful.
Real Madrid traveled to Germany to face off against one of their old foes Bayern Munich. However, over the past ten years, they’ve always overcome the German side one way or the other. This time it looked a bit tricky.
They needed some class and experience to keep the game away from them. Vinicius Jr and Toni Kroos stepped up to the occasion.
Toni Kroos was later applauded by the Madrid players for his exquisite display against his former team.
The German midfielder shepherded the game at the right moment to give Los Blancos an edge. So now they can prepare for the 2nd Leg.
Toni Kroos’ Exceptional display against Bayern
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Real Madrid started their game against Bayern Munich slowly. This allowed them to get a bit overwhelmed by the Bavarians. As the minutes went by, Madrid needed someone to keep the game in control. Toni Kroos stepped in.
Kroos dazzled the midfield with his elite passing and composure. And soon, in the chaos of Bayern’s press, he found a loophole. Kroos slotted a sublime line-breaking pass for speeding Vinicius to intercept. At the end the winger slipped the ball beyond the keeper, punishing the Bavarians.
Toni Kroos continued to destabilize the Bayern defense with some of his press-resistant moves alongside his passes.
This continued even in the second half, Toni Kroos could have gotten his goal but his German Compatriot keeper denied him.
At the end of the 2-2, he was applauded by the players for his excellent display.
Tactical analysis of the Real Madrid star
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Toni Kroos is regarded as a deep-lying playmaker. Although occasionally he can play as a defensive midfielder. And when doing so in most cases he will play as a double pivot. The 2nd pivot partner will be an energetic box-to-box midfielder.
In Real Madrid’s game against Bayern, he was pivoted along with Tchouameni. Aurelien Tchouameni being a natural defensive midfielder, allowed Toni Kroos to operate conveniently in the midfield. This gave Kroos a high degree of freedom to go forward and distribute passes.
In his assist for Vinicius, he was able to read between the lines of Bayern’s press. This led to him providing the sublime through pass
Toni Kroos is known for his excellent passing, vision, and creativity. He is also known for his calmness with the ball. Also, his ability to split up defense from afar with just passes.
Capping it up is his magnificent ability in set pieces and shooting ranges. Kroos has proven to be an elite set-piece taker. He has scored freekicks from tight angles, long ranges, and close range.
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Toni Kroos’s performance for Real Madrid this Season
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Toni Kroos has so far provided 8 assists and 1 goal this season in 43 games. This he was able to do as a deep-lying midfielder. It’s very uncommon for deep-lying midfielders and defensive midfielders to assist and score.
Toni Kroos has been very pivotal to the structure of Real Madrid’s midfield. The German has been the one controlling and keeping the Real Madrid midfield together. And so far there have been results as the Los Blancos 95% done winning the La Liga. Whilst also they’re in the Champions League semi-finals.
Although the 35-year-old is already aging past his prime, somehow, he hasn’t expended the remaining quality within him.
More Tasks ahead
Real Madrid will host Cardiz on Saturday in the La Liga. A win will edge them closer to their League title. By then they’ll only need one more win to seal it. The following week, they’ll host the Bavarians in a mouth-watering second Leg UCL semifinal.
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