Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has never been afraid to speak his mind, and he made it clear that in his opinion coach Carlo Ancelotti got it wrong against RB Leipzig on Wednesday evening.
The Merengue won 2-1 on aggregate, but maintained their advantage for most of the match, and were relieved when the referee blew the whistle for the match to end. Ancelotti surprised many by fielding five midfielders, with Fede Valverde on the right of midfield, Vinicius Junior and Jude Bellingham further forward, leaving Rodrygo Goes out. After the match, Kroos praised Leipzig, while admitting his side’s form had not helped.
“Leipzig played well, they defended very well and, thanks to their defense, they were able to create good counter-attacks. We knew they could be dangerous. To a certain extent we were good with the ball, but we didn’t have enough attackers to be dangerous.
Kroos cashes in on Ancelotti
The players did not try to hide that this Real Madrid evening was far from being a great vintage. “ The result is one thing, the way of playing is another. At halftime we were happy with the result, but not with the way we played. The second half was a little better, but still not enough to say we deserve to be in the next round. We weren’t good at all, but we’re in the quarter-finals.”he told Diario AS.
Kroos’ criticism is not unique either. Ancelotti himself admitted he wouldn’t have fielded the same team in hindsight. Either way, Los Blancos are ready to fight for the quarter-finals.
