Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos continued to analyze Sunday’s El Clásico between Los Blancos and FC Barcelona, and this time the former midfielder offered some insight on Barça’s defensive line, which featured
Eric García and not Araujo.
“I don’t understand why Eric played. Araujo has the physical ability to press even more, especially when you’re so far up. He would have been ideal for that style of play and that opponent. When you have Mbappé and Vinícius, you need someone who can keep up with them. Araujo can. That surprised me,” he said.
Kroos also explained how Iñigo Martinez’s departure to play in Saudi Arabia might have hurt Barça, especially against Real Madrid.
“I always said how important Íñigo Martínez seemed to me. Of all Barça’s center-backs from last year, he was the one who left the goal best. He wasn’t the fastest, but he was an excellent ball-winner and had a great ability to play out from the back. Against Real Madrid, there were moments when his absence was felt, when Real Madrid pressed. They didn’t replace him and he is very much missed,” he explained.
Kroos had previously shared his thoughts about the controversy surrounding Vinicius’ outburst when Xabi Alonso took him out of the game.
