Kroos, maximum reliability for Nagelsmann

When it plays Toni Kroos Germany works. When you are out of the equation, you will suffer. His influence on the German team is unquestionable and the statistics show his importance to the German team: with cross, Germany won 64.86 percent of matches (72); Without the former Real Madrid player, from the time he left the national team in July 2021 until his return in March 2024, the figures dropped to 46.66 percent of victories (14).

The data for Germany with the German metronome was completed with 17.12 percent of draws (19) and 18.02 percent of losses (20). Without it, draws and losses (8 in each case) reach the same rate: 26.67 percent. Overall, without Kroos, The group of Julian Nagelsmann He holed as many as 16 of the 30 matches he played, that is, on more than half of the occasions.

That’s why Nagelsmann persisted

For this reason, Kroos’ return to the national team has a soothing effect. Both are in the stage of Hansi Flick in the bank as later on Nagelsmann, Germany was lost in the middle of the field without a reliable engine room operating guide. but, Nagelsmann He pushed until he returned. He needed him for one last service and he got his participation in the Euro Cup after a phone call in which he had to insist on one of his most important players.

For now, cross, On the way to his retirement from professional football he played only three games. A friendly against Greece and the official Euro Cup duels against Scotland and Hungary. He didn’t need much time to get fully ready and make Germany’s entire game revolve around him. The three matches, by the way, ended in victory for the men of Nagelsmann.

His three games since his return

The first, the friendly against Greece, was a first contact. Germany won 2-1 after a big mistake Manuel Neuer which they resolved in between Kai Havertz and Pascal Gross, authors of return goals. In the second, already in the Euro Cup and against Scotland, Cross It was key to the German team’s exhibition, which won 5-1. He gave an all-out performance and ended the tournament with a 99 percent pass success rate: He tried 102 and only one failed.

And this Wednesday, in Germany’s second game in the group stage, Kroos scored another great game. Although Ilkay Gundogan He was the man of the day, Kroos was once again the key with all the confidence he showed in the creative work. And, as against Scotland, he left some amazing data. On this occasion, 124 out of 131 passes were successfully completed which he gave to his companions. And, on top of that, on defense he recovered seven balls.

After the match, in a press conference, where Germany has already been classified for the round of 16 of the Euro Cup, Nagelsmann is clear: “I am very satisfied. Hungary was an uncomfortable opponent, but we were able to create scoring situations and be dangerous. “I think in November we’re not going to win this game,” he said.

And why didn’t Germany win a game like in Hungary months ago? If you put the statistics in the table, the answer is probably that Toni Kroos in November, it was unavailable. And, without it, the chances of losing or being drawn exceed fifty percent. For this reason, Kroos gives reliability to his selection.