Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has admitted he would prefer to play further forward for the club.
Following the arrival of Julen Lopetegui in the summer, Kroos has played a more defensive role in a midfield trio on occasion when Casemiro has been rested.
The German was used in a more advanced role under previous manager Zinedine Zidane, a time where he established himself as one of the best midfielders in Europe.
And while Kroos has admitted he doesn’t mind playing deeper, the German understands he is nowhere near the level of team-mate Casemiro in a defensive position.
“It’s a challenge to reverse this situation,” he told reporters speaking prior to Germany’s Nations League defeat against the Netherlands (via Football Espana).
“We’ve shown we can do it. We’ve always had phases like these. It doesn’t worry me.
“I like playing deeper, but I’m not Casemiro.”
After a positive start to the current season under Lopetegui, Real Madrid have hit a poor run of form, failing to win their last four games across all competitions.
In addition, Los Blancos have also failed to score in each of those matches, the club’s worst run without a goal this century.
Toni Kroos vs Casemiro
As expected, when Kroos and Casemiro are put together, the pair shine in different aspects of the game.
For Kroos, his passing places him above the rest, completing 615 passes in La Liga this season – more than any other Real Madrid player, while he has also created 11 chances, another high at the club.
Casemiro makes his mark in the defensive part of the game, making more blocks than any other Los Blancos player (nine) and also recording the second-most interceptions (10) behind Sergio Ramos (14).
The post ‘I’m not Casemiro!’ – Toni Kroos warns Lopetegui about Real Madrid role appeared first on Squawka News.
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