Toni Kroos takes aim at Barça with harsh criticism

Toni Kroos's sharp eye has lost none of its precision. Since his retirement in the summer of 2024, the former Real Madrid midfielder has continued to follow football with the same attention to detail. On his podcast Einfach mal Luppen, he recently focused on FC Barcelona, clearly concerned by the struggles of the team now managed by Hansi Flick.

For the German, the Catalan club still boasts one of the most attractive brands of football on the continent, but its possession-based approach has significant limitations. Kroos highlights a recurring tactical imbalance and the ever-present risk that comes from excessive ambition:

"When a Pedri, a Lamine Yamal or a Raphinha has an off day, everything collapses," he lamented.

The former Real strategist also pointed out a persistent physical issue: fatigue in the final minutes.

"After the 75th minute, you can see they stop closing down space, they tire themselves out without adjusting their play," he observed.

Without any animosity, Kroos delivers an expert diagnosis: Barça still dazzles, but its tactical and physical shortcomings prevent it from stringing together top-level performances.

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Mahdi Zakaria LAZRI |

Editor

Football web writer creating digital sports content with a focus on news, analysis and stories that reflect passion, accuracy and objectivity.