08 May 2024 , 10:37
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Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has drawn comparisons with Manchester United legend Paul Scholes after his "breathtaking" display in last week's Champions League semi-final first leg vs Bayern Munich.
World Cup winner Kroos stood out to ex-Red Devils star Owen Hargreaves more than any other in last week's clash in Munich and the Los Blancos star will hope to push his team over the line at the Bernabeu on Wednesday night.
The 34-year-old ace has become an experienced head among younger superstars in Aurélien Tchouaméni, Federico Valverde and Jude Bellingham. With five successful Champions League campaigns under his belt, including one with Bayern, Kroos' mental abilities see him keep pace with those around him according to ex-England international Hargreaves.
The TNT Sports pundit could not overstate the impact of his former teammate. "I mean, everybody's a top player, but I just thought Toni Kroos was just ridiculous in the game," he told Mirror Football.
"I remember Toni came into our first team, I think we signed him from Hansa Rostock when he was 14. I remember, he was floating around. Uli Hoeness, our boss at the time, said 'this guy's going to be our No. 10 one day' and he was. When you saw him he was tiny. But what I think, what he's developed into a player, and the way he controlled that game.
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"You know, obviously, with his age he's not and he's never been the quickest. His ability to control that football game I thought was breathtaking. It really was. In that sense, he was like Paul Scholes, just two steps ahead of you mentally. You wonder how can a guy that physically can't run as fast as some of the others, but when you, when you're up there that quick it's a real thing of beauty to us and I just thought he was amazing."
While La Liga champions Real are a team loaded with superstars, Hargreaves believes Rodrygo is another who perhaps does not earn the credit he deserves. When making his prediction of how the second leg could unfold, the 43-year-old highlighted Rodrygo's tendency to deliver on the biggest stage.
Toni Kroos dictated play in the first leg of Real Madrid vs Bayern Munich (Chris Brunskill)Hargreaves reckon Carlo Ancelotti's side will find a way past Bayern Munich. "I don't know how they do it but they must have this tactic where they just hang in there and then they hit you on the counter.
"Rodrygo's such a crazy, underrated player. He gets so many big goals in big games. Vini Jr, he's so hard to keep quiet because he's so sharp.
"I thought they did a pretty good job but he still gets moments. I think Bayern will score, but I just think Real at home they'll score more. I think it's gonna be a hell of a game but with their experience.I think they'll go through."
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