Real Madrid vs Manchester City : Five things to look for
By Vijay Vemu
5. Toni Kroos’s impact in the midfield
It’s safe to say that Toni Kroos is the rock in the Real Madrid midfield. Luka Modric and James Rodriguez may be the engine that helps run the midfield but Kroos is the mainstay in the back. The German helps facilitate play and touches the ball more than any other play for Real. He will need to help control possession and keep the midfield clean against Manchester City.
Manchester City line up as an offensive team and they are weak when being forced to chase the ball and defend. Many teams they face will willing give them the ball and try to hit them on the counterattack. But that also can be costly as a defense can only stop a number of shots. Once one goal goes in, it usually starts raining in for City after that.
Kroos will be the rock in linking play between the defense to offense as he will look and try to get the ball to Real Madrid’s playmakers out in space where they are the most dangerous. Ronaldo and Bale have incredible speed and can basically catch up to any ball in front of them. Kroos just needs to help the midfield function against Manchester City.
Next: 4. Ronaldo in England