Kroos

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Toni Kroos has by no means been one to sugarcoat his opinions, and his newest remarks about Barcelona show that after once more.

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The Actual Madrid legend believes Hansi Flick’s aspect is perhaps dazzling to look at, however their high-risk soccer might come again to chew them in Europe.

Talking on his podcast, Kroos praised Barca’s attacking aptitude however didn’t shrink back from declaring a key flaw that might price them within the Champions League.

He prompt that whereas Barcelona’s younger stars like Lamine Yamal, Pedri, and Raphinha make them “essentially the most engaging workforce in Europe,” the Catalans’ method leaves them dangerously uncovered.

“Barca have some of the engaging kinds, if not essentially the most engaging, in all of Europe,” mentioned Kroos.

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“However I believe they take too many dangers. On a foul day from Pedri, Lamine [Yamal], or Raphinha, any workforce can harm them and nonetheless win. They’ll remove them from the Champions League.”

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The German legend, who is aware of a factor or two about European glory, didn’t cease there. He argued that Barca’s model, although stunning, turns into a burden when fatigue kicks in.

Toni Kroos talks on Barcelona’s hidden weak point

Hansi Flick Barcelona

Kroos pointed to a particular weak point that might spell hassle for Flick’s aspect — their lack of flexibility within the last levels of matches.

“From the seventy fifth minute onwards, you discover that everybody is extra drained and also you see that they don’t swap to a unique model of closing down areas,” he mentioned.

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“In the event you’re drained and don’t change your model of play, it turns into very evident how uncovered you might be.”

Barcelona’s current defeats — a 2-1 loss to Paris Saint-Germain within the Champions League and a 4-1 hammering by Sevilla — have solely strengthened Kroos’s issues.

Regardless of dominating possession, their line of defense typically appears to be like like a high-wire act ready for a gust of wind.

Nonetheless, Kroos doesn’t see these points haunting them in La Liga, the place Barca’s management normally suffocates opponents. However within the Champions League, he believes “one unhealthy evening” might undo months of brilliance.

As Barca put together for a defining few weeks — together with clashes with Girona, Olympiacos, and Actual Madrid — Flick’s capacity to adapt might resolve whether or not they sparkle or stumble.

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