Real Madrid Must Protect Toni Kroos and Should Rest Him in Champions League Game

Injuries are blighting Real Madrid’s first half of the season so far, not with long-term absentees or in particularly devastating numbers, but with a rotating cast of players suffering three or four weeks out at a time and giving Zinedine Zidane a headache to keep his side competitive and consistent.

Of course, later on in the season, these enforced rest periods might actually be of benefit to the players, who won’t have played quite as much football by March or April as they might usually do. But that is of scant consolation to the boss in the here-and-now with the necessity of picking up consistent results.

One of the few who has remained fit throughout the entirety of the season so far and is a key part of Zidane’s plans is Toni Kroos, the central midfielder who has already had a big impact in several games this term—including the win over Real Betis to end a run of four draws.

The German is in good form and has just signed a new long-term contract, but that only makes it more important than ever that Madrid protect him and have him available for the fixtures that matter most.

That means the midweek UEFA Champions League game against Legia Warsaw has to be seen as an opportunity to rest him and give others the chance to impress, with bigger tests ahead that Kroos will be needed at full capacity for.

Legia event

Naturally, Real Madrid want to finish top of their Champions League group, which means coming out on top against Borussia Dortmund.

Neither Sporting CP nor Legia should present enough of a challenge over the course of six games to the biggest duo, and in the first head-to-head between Los Blancos and BVB, it was the Spanish side who emerged with the more positive result.

A draw meant they stayed level on points, but the away point gives Madrid the advantage ahead of the second meeting on December 7.

That’s the game Zidane and Co. will target as the one that dictates whether they take first or second place—and while that means they’ll also have to win the fixtures that come beforehand, in truth, the next two games should be straightforward if the attitude and approach is right, regardless of which players take the field.

Legia are the home side on Tuesday, yet it won’t feel that way: The game will be played behind closed doors after crowd trouble against Dortmund, per BBC Sport.

The intimidation factor will be lost, there will be no need for Madrid to quieten a vociferous home support and even any positive start for the home team will not be met with the usual backing and encouragement that can help the players through to half time.

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