Kroos and Modric, from inseparable to compatible

Luka Modric and Toni Kroos They formed an inseparable duo in the middle of the field of real Madrid since their paths crossed in 2014, when the white club paid 25 million euros Bavaria of the German midfielder. Over the years, this operation has become one of the best investments in the history of real Madrid.

The Croatian and the German continue to be considered two of the best midfielders of the 21st century (there is their record, of which five stand out Champions each) and, at 38 and 34 years old respectively, they continue to be the main group of Carlo Ancelotti with clearly differentiated roles.

Cross maintains its title status while the Zadar have thinned out the lineups in favor of strong young players such as Tchouaméni, Valverde and Camavinga and now he had to adapt to the role of the revulsive. This season Cross and Modric They only appeared in eleven out of five games, the last of which was in the final Clásico played at the Santiago Bernabéu. “I know Modric and he will never accept the role of the revulsive. “He has the same character and the same enthusiasm as 10 years ago,” commented Ancelotti recently.

Against him Bavaria, Toni Kroos It glowed with its own light until the gas ran out. He led the best minutes of the game from the engine room Madrid, cooled the Allianz temperature by lowering Bayern’s pulse and dominated a brilliant assist to Vinicius to make it 0-1. White 8’s data explains its display. In 75 minutes he made 79 passes (the most in the match tied with Dier), 15 of them in the final third (no one from Madrid made more) and was the field player who recovered the most balls (7) tied with Laimer .

From the 65th minute, and with an onslaught of a Bayern team scoring 1-1 and 2-1 in just four minutes, Cross The game started to go up for him. “I need energy and fresh legs. I have the tools on the bench and I have to use them,” Ancelotti said to explain his decision to bring in Modric through Crosswho was also reprimanded for a clear foul Harry Kane.

In entering the Balkans and CamavingaMadrid regained the thread of the match, drowning the crowd Bavaria and gained momentum to go for the tying goal. A great pass Modric in Vinicius in space almost ended the score at 2-2 but that chance was the beginning of the final tie from eleven meters.

Modricas it happened, in the quarterfinal tie against City of Manchester, specializes in the role of revulsive. On the way in Bernabeu He entered in the 72nd minute and returned in the 79th minute. His arrival has greatly improved Madrid, who have since been able to shake off the overwhelming dominance of Guardiola’s team. In extra time the Madrid it went further and in a circle Modric He was the only visiting player to miss his maximum penalty.

With clearly established roles, the League has fallen in popularity in recent days Modricchaining three consecutive titles to give a break Cross in view of the resolution of Champions. Without injury this season, the one from Zadar has participated in 40 of the 48 games played by Madrid this season.

Modric started 20 times in all competitions compared to 31 starts for Kroos, who played 43 games and totaled 2,848 minutes. The Croatian, on the other hand, has accumulated 1,956 minutes.