Real Madrid’s recent 0-1 defeat to Lille has highlighted a significant problem within the squad: the inability to control the tempo of the game effectively.
This issue has drawn attention to a gap in the current lineup, one that no player has managed to fill since the departure of midfield maestro Toni Kroos.
While it may seem harsh, the assessment of former director of football Predrag Mijatovic rings true.
Real Madrid’s current midfielders, including Eduardo Camavinga, Aurelien Tchouameni, Federico Valverde, and Jude Bellingham, have not managed to replicate what Kroos consistently brought to the team.
Kroos was a player who could dictate the pace of the game, bringing calm and control in crucial moments.
His ability to move the ball from side to side, slowing down or speeding up the tempo depending on the situation, was invaluable to Real Madrid. This ability is now glaringly absent from the current squad.
Key stat to understand his importance
To fully understand this, it is crucial to take a closer look at the statistics from the Lille match.
In the match against Lille, the difference was particularly evident. Kroos averaged seven long passes per game throughout his career at Madrid, with a near 90% success rate.
This level of accuracy was unmatched by any of his replacements. Last night Bellingham attempted five long passes, but only two were successful.
Tchouameni made two attempts, with three being successful, while Valverde also attempted two, managing two correct passes. Camavinga had four attempts, with three successful, the best percentage among them.
However, despite these efforts, none of them could replicate the calm and precision Kroos brought to the midfield.
It’s not just about the number of passes but the impact they have on the game. Kroos’ ability to create chances was just as critical to Real Madrid’s success.
On average, Kroos was directly involved in creating two scoring opportunities per game. Last night, Real Madrid only managed to create two chances in total, a stark contrast to the influence Kroos had when he was on the pitch.
There is no replacement for Kroos
It’s clear that there is no direct replacement for Kroos in the current squad, and this is a worrying sign for Real Madrid. Tchouameni, while solid defensively, does not have the same finesse or control with the ball that Kroos had.
Camavinga, a promising talent, has a similar style but is still far from achieving the level of consistency Kroos brought. Valverde and Bellingham, while performing well in their respective roles, have not shown that they can fill the void left by the German.
Luka Modric, another midfield stalwart, could perhaps come closer to Kroos’ influence, but at this stage of his career, his appearances must be carefully managed. The Croatian veteran can no longer be relied upon to play week in, week out at the same intensity.
Real Madrid need to move forward
Real Madrid will undoubtedly continue to push forward, as the club’s philosophy has always been to evolve and transcend individual players.
The absence of Kroos, however, is particularly significant, and it raises questions about what the team could have achieved if he were still in the squad.
For now, the team must adapt and find new ways to dominate games, but the loss of Kroos’ presence on the pitch is one that will take time to overcome.
In conclusion, Real Madrid are clearly missing a key piece of their midfield puzzle. While the current crop of players shows promise, none of them have been able to replicate the control, precision, and tempo management that Kroos brought to the side.
The club will have to find a way to fill that gap if they want to return to the level of dominance they have been known for.
For now, the club finds itself in a transitional phase, and while they remain a force to be reckoned with, the lack of a player like Kroos leaves the team feeling incomplete.