He has won two titles, he is a regular player at Real Madrid. And yet Toni Kroos is polarising. German abroad” in the International Class.
One of them: Toni Kroos. Spanish champion with Real and, more significantly, Champions League winner again. For the fifth time in his career, once with Bayern, however, when he was injured in 2013 in the quarter-final first leg against Juventus at the time and was then out for the rest of the season. And just now four times with Real.
In the semi-final first leg at ManCity, Kroos was overrun
With these title wins, there should be no doubt that Kroos belongs in the International Class. And yet the editors had to get the facts right first: Kroos was overrun by Manchester City in the Champions League semi-final first leg, but let down as the only six by his colleagues and tactically by coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Kroos had been substituted on each occasion as his colleagues made up ground against Paris, Chelsea and ManCity on their way to the Champions League final. But a defensive midfielder being substituted when trailing is equally understandable and not Kroos’ fault.
Kroos’ record for passes into attacking third
Given his passing prowess, his ability to provide calm and balance to the Royals’ play, Especially as Kroos has been able to bury the fairy tale of the “cross-field pass Toni”, as documented by his 1430 passes into the attacking third in the Champions League. That is a record since the data was collected in 2013/14.
