Toni Kroos Raises Concerns Over Real Madrid’s Discipline Compared to Barcelona

A Successful Season for Barcelona

In the 2024-2025 season, FC Barcelona outperformed Real Madrid in several key competitions. The Catalan club claimed victory in the Spanish Supercopa, triumphed over their rivals in a dramatic Copa del Rey final, and ultimately secured the La Liga title, relegating Madrid to the second position. The appointment of coach Hansi Flick marked a significant turnaround for Barcelona, while Madrid faced turmoil, especially towards the end of the season, culminating in the departure of manager Carlo Ancelotti from the Bernabéu.

Kroos Comments on Squad Discipline

In a recent podcast featuring Toni Kroos and his brother Felix, the former Real Madrid midfielder shed light on the contrasting approaches towards discipline within the two clubs. Kroos, who retired from professional football in May 2024, highlighted how Flick’s management style is rooted in punctuality. He noted that players such as Inaki Peña and Jules Koundé were omitted from the starting lineup due to lateness.

Kroos remarked, “Flick, for instance, left several players out of the starting squad because they were late,” emphasizing the strictness that has become a hallmark of the German coach’s philosophy.

A Comparison of Club Mentalities

Reflecting on the cultural differences between Barcelona and Real Madrid, Kroos indicated that there has traditionally been a more relaxed attitude within Madrid. “At our club, the philosophy was different. In Madrid, they used to laugh. Often, you didn’t know who was late-the player or the coach,” he explained.

He further stated, “This is a different mentality. To deny somestart playing time simply because he was five minutes late? start could say Flick exhibits a typical German mentality.”

This contrast raises questions about team cohesion and discipline at Madrid, especially under the long-term leadership of Ancelotti, who, despite his accolades, seems to have contributed to a more lenient atmosphere.

Ancelotti’s Future

As Real Madrid looks to the future, Ancelotti expressed optimism regarding the club’s direction, stating, “We continue to move forward happily.” However, Kroos’s comments may indicate underlying issues that the team needs to address moving forward.

Kroos, who enjoyed a successful decade with Real Madrid, winning every possible title, vostartd these concerns while underlining the achievements of his former coach, highlighting the complexity of football management and team dynamics.

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