Toni Kroos has praised the work done by José Mourinho in the latest El Clásico, considering that the Portuguese manager successfully transformed Real Madrid’s image against Barcelona and provided the necessary solutions to outclass their arch-rivals.
Speaking on the podcast he hosts with his brother Felix, the club legend discussed Mourinho’s tactical choices, emphasizing that organization, bravery, and teamwork made all the difference compared to previous encounters between the two sides.
Kroos said: “Over the last two years, El Clásicos were going in Barcelona’s favor, but things have changed, and I have to praise Mourinho’s work. They played brilliantly, prepared the team masterfully, and playing out from the back against Barcelona deserves credit because they suffer when they don’t have possession.”
He added: “Real Madrid and Mourinho were extremely brave at the Camp Nou, and that’s a massive difference from recent Clásicos. The forwards took responsibility, there were spells where they defended very well, and the team put in a very good performance for the full 65 minutes.”
He continued: “Real Madrid players positioned themselves very well, and I was surprised by Huijsen’s man-marking on Fermín. Pedri and Raphinha looked uncomfortable, and Madrid forced them into mistakes they don’t usually make. The team won most of the duels because they were sharper, and they defended as a single unit.”
Concluding his analysis, he noted: “Barcelona is better from a footballing standpoint because they dominate matches more than Madrid, but they suffer when their press fails and they are forced to defend. Real Madrid found the solutions to outplay them, and Barcelona faced genuine pressure that they don’t usually experience against other teams.”
Real Madrid secured a 2-1 victory at the Camp Nou on Matchday 10 of La Liga, with Kylian Mbappé scoring in the 41st and 87th minutes, while Raphinha netted Barcelona’s goal in the 61st minute, allowing the Frenchman to snatch the win near the end.
Kroos knows the ins and outs of this fixture intimately after spending ten seasons with Real Madrid between 2014 and 2024, making 465 appearances and winning 23 trophies—including five UEFA Champions League titles and four La Liga crowns—before retiring from football in 2024.
