Toni Kroos Weighs in on Barcelona’s Defensive Shortcomings

The Situation at Barcelona

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos has expressed his thoughts on Barcelona’s recent performances, particularly their struggles following the departure of defender Iñigo Martínez.

Martínez made the switch from Barcelona to Al-Nassr at the beginning of the LaLiga season.

Key Insights from Kroos

In a recent podcast, Kroos shared his reflections on Barcelona’s loss to Real Madrid, noting the impact of Martínez’s absence. He stated, “I have consistently highlighted how crucial Iñigo Martínez was for us. Among all the central defenders at Barcelona last season, he excelled in transitioning from defense to attack.”

Kroos added, “Although he wasn’t the quickest player, his ball recovery skills and distribution were exceptional. During the match against Real Madrid, you could clearly notice his absence, particularly during moments of our pressing. They haven’t adequately filled that gap, and it’s been evident.”

Tactical Observations

Kroos further commented on the tactical choices made by Barcelona, specifically the decision to play Eric Garcia. “I find it puzzling that Eric Garcia was selected, considering he may be technically superior to Ronald Araújo. However, Araújo possesses the physicality needed to challenge opponents, especially when playing in a high defensive line. He would have been the ideal player for this particular style and against this kind of opponent,” remarked Kroos.

He concluded with, “Honestly, I couldn’t comprehend that decision. When facing fast players like Kylian Mbappé and Vinícius, you need defenders who can match their speed. Araújo has that capability. I was quite surprised by his absence.”