Madrid stars keen on Kroos stay after Munich masterclass
Real Madrid's German midfielder Toni Kroos (left) and Bayern Munich's German forward Leroy Sane talk after the UEFA Champions League semi-final first leg football match between FC Bayern Munich and Real Madrid CF on April 30, 2024 in Munich, southern Germany. (Photo by KERSTIN JOENSSON / AFP)
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Toni Kroos has not decided where his future lies but
his team-mates are hoping he chooses to stay at Real Madrid after his Champions
League masterclass against Bayern Munich.
The experienced 34-year-old German midfielder shone
for Real in their 2-2 semi-final first leg draw at his former stomping ground in
Bavaria on a gripping Tuesday night.
Kroos's contract expires in the summer after a
decade with the record 14-time Champions League winners.
"I want to win as much as possible this season
-- I don't think about the future," he said after the game.
Looking beyond obvious standout Vinicius Junior, who
netted both of Madrid's goals against Bayern, Kroos was Madrid's finest player
in a match where Los Blancos could have been beaten.
Thomas Tuchel's Bayern created more chances and
Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti said they were at their best, compared to his side
which only showed their top level in flashes.
Kroos was by contrast supremely consistent and his
superb ball for Vinicius helped Madrid take the lead.
The former Germany international was a step ahead of
everyone else on the pitch, pointing to Vinicius where he planned to play the
ball, a pass which didn't seem to be on.
Vinicius, closely acquainted with Kroos's quality,
made the right run and the veteran threaded the needle with his slide-rule
pass.
"We train together so much, I know Kroos very
well and he knows me very well," explained the Brazilian forward.
Vinicius' strike-partner Rodrygo said he would love
Kroos to stay.
"We always tell him (Kroos) to stay, not just
one but many years more, age doesn't matter," Rodrygo told Movistar.
"He's so masterful, with such class, I love
playing with him, I hope he keeps going."
Kroos made some vital interceptions in midfield, was
a threat from set pieces and in the first half hour did not misplace a single
pass.
By half-time only one of his 49 had gone astray and
by the end 79 out of 82 found their target.
The midfielder showed his experience as well as his
class, having a word with Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin, telling him to stay
calm after a hurried clearance.
It was Kroos charging up the outside early in the
second half, with Manuel Neuer beating his effort to safety at full stretch
after a slick move.
He was booked for a tactical foul on Bayern striker
Harry Kane and took the armband after Nacho Fernandez was substituted.
The Bayern match is Kroos' 10th semi-final tie and
the only player who has lifted the trophy more is former Madrid winger Paco
Gento, a six-time winner.
The German did not look happy to be replaced in the
final stages, given the calibre of his performance.
"(It was) just for more energy, Kroos played a
very good game," explained Ancelotti.
"There are no words to define him. He is a top
player, crucial for our game, for the way he controls the speed (of the game),
and for his passes."


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