Madrid – Real Madrid lose in the first round of the Champions League round of sixteen against Manchester City, Toni Kroos sits on the bench. Coach Zidane declares his resignation.
Kick-off to the knockout phase of the Champions League – and Toni Kroos is only sitting on the bench.
Many fans were surprised that Zinédine Zidane gave up one of his success guarantees of recent years in the first round of the last sixteen against Manchester City: Was the German injured? Or did the non-nomination have sporting reasons?
After the 2-1 defeat, Zidane provided the explanation: he had left the 2014 world champions on the bench for tactical reasons.
Zidane about Kroos: “Have other options”
“He’s an important player for us,” the Real coach said about Kroos, “but today I decided to go for this option. I can’t do that against Toni, who is doing well – but I chose to play this game for other players.”
In midfield, instead of 30-year-old Luka Modric, Casemiro and Federico Valverde played in the Royal’s midfield.
The fact that Zidane chose not to play Kroos at the start of the hot phase of the premier league is also surprising in view of the season so far – after all, the midfield strategist is usually seeded under the Frenchman.
Kroos set in the Champions League so far
In the Spanish league, Kroos was 21 times in the starting eleven in 25 games. In the away games at SD Eibar and CA Osasuna he only sat on the bench, at RCD Mallorca he was missing injured, against Real Sociedad he only played for a short time.
In the Champions League, Kroos has played for over 90 minutes in all but the last group match at FC Bruges, scoring one goal and two assists in the preliminary round.
Even without Kroos, things looked good for Real against ManCity for a long time: Isco (60.) put the Spaniards in the lead before the game took a disastrous turn in the final phase.
Sergio Ramos sees red
First, Gabriel Jesus (78) and Kevin De Bruyne (83) turned the game in favour of the guests with a penalty kick, then Real captain Sergio Ramos (86) was sent off with a red light due to an emergency brake.
After three successive matches without a win (previously 1-0 at UD Levante and 2-2 against Celta Vigo), the Madrid side face a serious crisis – and now, of all times, the Clásico against FC Barcelona is on the agenda on Sunday. (La Liga: Real Madrid – FC Barcelona, Sun from 9pm)
It’s quite possible that Zidane will then once again rely on long-time favourite Toni Kroos.