World champion Kroos defends teammates after his mistakes
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Consolation from teammate: Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal (left) cheers Raphaël Varane, who blundered before conceding both goals in the game against Manchester City
Source: AFP / PETER POWELL
After Real Madrid’s Champions League exit, criticism in Spain is great. The media are particularly hard on Raphaël Varane. He blundered before conceding both goals. Toni Kroos, however, takes his teammate under protection.
Dhe criticism the day after was harsh. Especially with Raphaël Varane, who so far had a good season for Real Madrid in Spain, but failed in the second leg of the Champions League against Manchester City (1: 2) on Friday evening before both goals conceded, the Spanish media were hard on the court.
“Varane raised the hara-kiri sword,” was the headline of the newspaper “El Mundo”. Real had already lost the first leg 2-1 before the forced Corona break and thus missed the quarter-finals.
“I have no explanation for these errors”
The 27-year-old Varane, who has played for Real since 2011, took the blame for the defeat and apologized to the fans and his teammates after leaving the premier class. “I want to take responsibility, because this defeat is mine, and I have to accept it,” said the 2018 World Champion. “Mistakes are paid dearly at this level, and I have no explanation for these mistakes.”
“Two presents – and off you go!” Was the headline of the Madrid trade newspaper “Marca”, while on page one of the competition newspaper “AS” it read: “Sunken”. In Catalonia, the home of Real’s arch-rivals FC Barcelona, the sports newspaper “Mundo Deportivo” enjoyed the bankruptcy of the capital city with the headline: “Reales Ko”
Coach Zidane was also sharply criticized by the Spanish media. “Zizou” was never a strategy genius, that is known, it was said in a TV talk show after the bankruptcy. But the fact that he did practically nothing from the bank in Manchester to bring about a turnaround was “unforgivable”.
Toni Kroos (left) in a duel with Raheem Sterling from Manchester City
Source: dpa / Dave Thompson
Toni Kroos, the German world champion in the service of the royal, but took his teammate Varane under protection after his mistakes. “Rapha had an outstanding season. There are no accusations. After that it will of course be difficult to turn the game around, “said Kroos after the defeat at Sky:” We didn’t play a good first half and helped with the goals. You have to be honest, City deservedly progressed over 180 minutes. But I had the feeling that there was a little more in it. “
Kroos now wants to use the free time to relax: “To be honest, I don’t think I’ll watch the rest,” he revealed. “When I go on vacation, then I go on vacation, and then without football.” He was very disappointed with the end, but is now looking forward to the free time.
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