Real Madrid: Toni Kroos has a license to keep on shooting

Real Madrid have moved Toni Kroos into more of an attacking role this season, which has allowed the midfielder to remind fans around the world how good he is at hitting the target from distance.

Somehow, Toni Kroos only has three goals in 15 starts for Real Madrid across all competitions this season. If it weren’t for Keylor Navas‘ heroics in goal for PSG on Tuesday, then Kroos could have added a couple of more goals to his running tally. The same can be said for when Kroos faced Jan Oblak and Atletico Madrid earlier this year.

Because Kroos has been electric with his shooting from distance. The Germany star’s first-time finesse efforts are a thing of beauty, getting fans to leap out of their seats every time he attempts them. They often catch keepers off guard, as Navas was forced into some stunning reflex saves to keep PSG in the game this week.

Kroos has always been a danger from distance, but he’s been given even more of a license to shoot in Zinedine Zidane‘s second stint as Real Madrid manager. As my colleague Ali Malik wrote, Zidane has moved Kroos into more of an attacking midfield role this season to help transition the player into the next stage of his career. It’s been a genius move, as Kroos has recovered his form and is back to being one of the absolute best midfielders in Europe.

According to WhoScored.com, Kroos is averaging a ridiculous 4.4 key passes per game in the Champions League and 2.8 key passes per game in La Liga, as he continues to do everything he can to set up teammates in dangerous positions. As a more attacking midfielder, this has become a more achievable task for the former Bayern Munich man.

But Kroos has also been a high-volume shooter. Only Karim Benzema, who has 10 goals in 12 appearances as La Liga’s premier striker, and Gareth Bale are averaging more shots per game in La Liga than the German. Kroos has been threatening keepers this season while still not sacrificing on his delicious passing, which is central to Real’s build-up play.

Additionally, Kroos’ longshots can set up opportunities for teammates. He can force keepers into making saves that lead to corner kicks or, better yet, rebounds. And the likes of Benzema, Rodrygo, and Bale have the finishing touch and instincts to pounce.

As far as I’m concerned, Kroos can keep on shooting as often as he likes. He’s accurate enough that these attempts aren’t low-percentage shots, and he knows when to pick and choose his battles. Kroos is shooting more often, but he’s not sacrificing his passing or aiming it into “Row Z”.

He consistently tests the keeper, which can lead to second-chance opportunities or defenses being more wary of the space he gets. And with his vision, more attention on him means less on his teammates, who are open and will be picked out by the eagle-eyed midfielder.