Former Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has given his assessment of El Clasico, explaining how Real Madrid overcame Barcelona at Camp Nou, according to Barca Blaugranes. The defeat was Hansi Flick's side's first in La Liga this season, and Kroos said Madrid made Barcelona struggle.
Speaking per Mundo Deportivo, as cited by Barca Blaugranes, Kroos credited Mourinho's work and described Madrid's performance as excellent, saying the coach produced a strong plan. He said playing with the ball against this Barcelona side is impressive because they struggle without it.
Why it matters
The result ended Barcelona's unbeaten start to the league campaign, and Kroos's analysis points to a tactical shift in how Madrid approached the fixture. His remarks, reported by Barca Blaugranes, suggest Madrid were far bolder at Camp Nou than in recent Clasicos, and that the pressure told on Barcelona's key players. Barcelona remain three points clear at the top of the table despite the loss.
Kroos on where Barcelona struggled
Kroos said Barcelona are the stronger footballing side because they dominate possession more than Madrid, but that they endure a lot when their pressing fails to work, according to Barca Blaugranes. He argued Madrid and Mourinho were remarkably brave at Camp Nou, which he identified as a major difference from recent meetings between the clubs.
He also noted that Madrid's forwards responded well and that there were spells when the visitors defended solidly, including around the moment Barcelona equalised. Kroos said Madrid's players were well positioned throughout, and he singled out Huijsen's marking of Fermín as something that caught him by surprise, per Barca Blaugranes.
According to Kroos, Barcelona figures such as Pedri and Raphinha appeared uncomfortable and were pushed into mistakes they would not usually make. He added that Madrid came out on top in nearly every duel because they played with greater intensity, and that they defended as a unit. In his view, Madrid delivered a complete performance with and without the ball, Barca Blaugranes reports.
What comes next
Barcelona will look to respond when they face Alaves on Saturday, with their three-point lead at the summit still intact.
