Real Madrid: 3 things to learn from loss against Rayo Vallecano

2. The biggest challenge will be finding a replacement for Toni Kroos

These are the games that make you appreciate the value of players like Toni Kroos on your side. The German was suspended due to a card he received in the previous match, and it was evident how much the squad lacked Kroos’ influence and how much it still relies on him.

The fact that Kroos is the piece that corrects these terrible errors is something that few people are aware of. He has always been the bridge and reviving force for a slow Real Madrid team at any time of day. His genius is simply too great to ignore, and his absence was a major reason why Real lost the technical battle before the scoresheet one.

It is frequently recognized how Benzema changed his style of play to meet the needs of the team, but it is rarely highlighted how Kroos has done the same. He adjusts his boots on the field based on what the team requires and what would produce the greatest results. His function has always evolved and has always been beneficial.

He is a dynamic playmaker, a pivot in the midfield, and now a deep lying creator who is equally adept at defensive and offensive roles. As Kroos himself stated, his position in the squad with Casemiro was more offensive, but now that Tchouameni allows more space to conceal, Kroos strives to fill the gap and create room for the team’s progress. They missed all of this against Rayo.

Tchouameni was powerless in this game because he lacked his pivot pair to provide extra cover at the back. The same could be said for the defense, which depended on Kroos for fixes but couldn’t find any today. Even Modric couldn’t operate without his connection with Kroos.

That is, after Kroos retires, he will be the most difficult player to replace. He is the only player of his caliber; they have stopped making more like him.