Real Madrid News
Real Madrid midfielder opens up on playing with Modric: “Understand each other perfectly”
Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has explained how it feels to play alongside a quality player like Luka Modric, saying that after almost nine years together, the two have developed a great connection.
Modric and Kroos have been together at Real Madrid since the 2014-15 season, although it must be remembered that Modric moved to Spain in the summer of 2012 from Tottenham Hotspur.
Over the years, the two have formed a formidable partnership at the heart of the team, winning four UEFA Champions League and three La Liga titles together.
Despite being on the wrong side of their 30s, the two continue to be at the top of their game and it is only achieved thanks to a perfect understanding.
Speaking ahead of Sunday’s El Clasico against Barcelona, Kroos explained how his relationship is with Modric.
“I’m very good playing by his side. We understand each other perfectly after almost nine years of playing together,” said the German midfielder according to Mundo Deportivo.
“We have a good connection both on and off the pitch and we know what the other is doing. Despite everything, there are always important people around us.”
Meanwhile, Kroos also spoke about Eduardo Camavinga’s performance against Liverpool in the UEFA Champions League, saying that the Frenchman’s presence helped the team especially while getting the better of the Reds physically.
Deployed as a pivot by Carlo Ancelotti in the second leg, the 20-year-old proved to be the backbone of his team on Wednesday night.
“Camavinga had a spectacular game against Liverpool on Wednesday and he helped us a lot, especially in the physical aspect,” said Kroos.
“We have a very good midfield and it depends on the game you want to play. As I’m a team player, it is important to talk about everyone. We two have more history than the others, but what’s important is what you do now,” the German claimed.
Touching on the importance of tomorrow’s game, Kroos added: “We know the importance of the match. For us, it’s important to get closer to them if we win. I don’t know what kind of game we’re going to see.”
When quizzed about how he thinks the match will go, he said: “Sometimes I wonder what is going to happen in the Clásico and I never get it right. It is always a special and unique game.”
Underlining that Real Madrid are up for the challenge, Kroos added: “We play well against big opponents. It’s what great teams do. If we continue like this, we’ll be fine. Also, after the draw for the Champions League, we have to do it to reach the final.”
Arda Guler’s Real Madrid stint has not gotten off to the start he would have hoped to have given the expectation that preceded the transfer.
Having joined in the summer after Real Madrid outbid their competition to win him over from Fenerbahce for a 20-million-euro fee, buzz was high as the winger was expected to slot into the team quite seamlessly, albeit on a rotational basis.
Unfortunately for the 18-year-old, he has been constantly marred by injuries since completing the move.
Reports have stated that after Guler picked up his third injury since his move, Real Madrid have been concerned and want to take things slow with the player to ensure he is fit as soon as possible after an injury to his quadriceps this time.
The Turk is yet to make his competitive debut for the club, and Real Madrid even sacked their medical chief in November, in light of their injury crises since the beginning of the season.
No loan deal for Guler
However, according to Fabrizio Romano in a recent YouTube video, he states that Madrid maintain full trust and patience in the youngster.
Despite his bad luck with injuries, the latest of which he is scheduled to return from after Christmas, the Galacticos have no intention of loaning out Guler to Turkish clubs despite lots of speculation of them doing so of late.
Romano states that Madrid remain firm on not shaking things up too much with the squad, and they want to keep their roster stable, including Arda Guler.
They want to extend their full support and protection to the player as he aims to return to full fitness and finally make his bow for Madrid either by the end of this month or in 2024.
