Toni Kroos Credits Mourinho for Tactical Shift in El Clásico

Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has lauded Jose Mourinho for his significant tactical influence during the latest El Clásico. Kroos noted that the Portuguese manager was the primary architect behind the team's vital victory at Camp Nou, a result that has kept Los Blancos' title aspirations alive.

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"Things have changed, and I have to praise Mourinho’s work. They played exceptionally well, and he set them up brilliantly."

Toni Kroos

Kroos admitted he was surprised by the team's bravery, noting that Madrid successfully pressured Barcelona in ways they rarely encounter. By maintaining high intensity and ensuring players were well-positioned, the visitors forced errors from key Barcelona stars like Pedri and Raphinha. The German highlighted that while Barcelona often dominates possession, Mourinho’s setup effectively exploited their struggles when forced to defend.

"Real Madrid and Mourinho were extremely courageous at Camp Nou, and that was a major difference compared with recent Clásicos."

Toni Kroos

Looking beyond the tactical setup, Kroos discussed the importance of attacking threats like Kylian Mbappé and the defensive contributions of players like Diomande and Jude Bellingham. He concluded by expressing his satisfaction that the Madrid supporters could finally enjoy a significant victory after several challenging seasons.