The Old Version of Kroos in New Germany

Germany really misses a midfielder who can bridge the attack. That's the reason Toni Kroos returned from retirement.

The following article was translated using both Microsoft Azure Open AI and Google Translation AI. The original article can be found in Kroos Versi Lama dalam Jerman yang Baru

AP/DPA/ARNE DEDERT

German player, Toni Kroos, practiced with his teammates in the German national team at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt on Tuesday (19/3/2024). Germany will face France in a friendly match in Lyon on Sunday (24/3/2024) early morning WIB.

LYON, FRIDAY — A thousand days after his last appearance on the international stage, veteran midfielder Toni Kroos will defend the German national team again. The “metronome” returns with a big mission. He is expected to be a catalyst in Germany's transition to a new generation at the 2024 European Cup.

Kroos, 34 years old, re-entered the "Panzer" squad about three months before the European Cup which will take place in Germany. The Real Madrid player last represented the national team when Germany was defeated by England in the round of 16 of the 2020 European Cup in June 2021. He decided to retire from the national team after that.

The return of Kroos was warmly welcomed. The jersey bearing Kroos' name sold more than twice as much as the others on the day of the launch of the new German uniform. The friendly match between Germany and France at the Groupama Stadium in Lyon on Sunday (24/3/2024) dawn, will mark the return of the midfielder.

Kroos said he wanted to return because he believed in the great potential of the current squad. Especially two young attacking midfielders who are shining in Europe, Florian Wirtz (20) and Jamal Musiala (21). With a wealth of experience, he intends to guide the team coached by Coach Julian Nagelsmann in the European Cup.

Also read: U-17 World Cup and the Wind of Change in Toni Kroos' Career

AP/DPA/ARNE DEDERT

German players, Robin Koch (left center) and Toni Kroos (right center), are practicing with the German national team players at the DFB Campus in Frankfurt, Tuesday (19/3/2024). Germany will face France in a friendly match in Lyon, early Sunday morning, WIB.

"Jamal and Florian? I rarely watch the German league, I more often see them in the Champions League. Even so, the morning training session (with the national team) showed how great their talents are. My task is to give them the freedom to play (using their respective strengths)," said Kroos.

Kross's return is not just for nostalgia. He once led Germany to the title in the 2014 Brazil World Cup. However, the tempo-regulating midfielder was also part of the failures in the 2018 Russia World Cup and the last European Cup. He was called up again thanks to his highly consistent performance at Madrid this season.

Kroos is the best attacking bridge for "El Real". According to FbRef, Kroos recorded the most progressive passes in the Spanish League (248 times). The number is far beyond his compatriot in the national team who plays for Barcelona, Ilkay Gundogan (174 times). Gundogan played 569 more minutes.

Based on Opta Analyst data, Kroos also created a personal best record while at Madrid in the average number of passes per 90 minutes (99 times) and the average success rate of duels (63 percent). "It's hard to say which season is his best because he is always the best now," praised Madrid coach Carlo Ancelotti in mid-February.

Also read: And Germany plunged into the trough of adversity...

AFP/GETTY IMAGES/ALEX GRIMM

German coach Julian Nagelsmann (center) and other coaching staff were seen discussing before the German national team's training session ahead of their match against the US national team. The training was held in Foxborough, Massachusetts on Thursday (12/10/2023).

The package of abilities is much needed by Nagelsmann at the moment. Germany has been struggling to move the ball into the opponent's final third in the last two matches. When they lost to Turkey 2-3, they only played 45 passes in the opponent's final third. This amount is the second lowest for Germany after Euro 2020.

Germany always dominates ball possession, but no one is able to bridge the attack to the opponent's field. When they were defeated by Austria 0-2, Germany only created 15 touches in the opponent's penalty box. They have never recorded such a small number of touches since 2021.

The role of Kroos as a metronome figure is sorely missed. Since 2010 in the World Cup and European Cup, no player has been able to surpass Kroos' record of average passes to the opponent's final third per 90 minutes (19.4 times). This record even exceeds the "brain" behind tiki-taka playstyle in Spain, Xavi Hernandez (11.7 times).

"Toni is an outstanding player. Just from training sessions, you can see how calm he is with the ball. From what I've seen for years, he's a player who can help us. I highly respect him," said Musiala, who became a star for Germany in the 2022 World Cup in Qatar.

Also read: The Rebound Effect of the New German National Team Coach

My job is to give them the freedom to play (with their respective strengths).

AP PHOTO/JULIO CORTEZ

A player from the German national team, Jamal Musiala (left), competes for the ball with a player from the Spanish national team, Rodri, in the group stage match E of the Qatar 2022 World Cup at Al Bayt Stadium, Al Khor, on Sunday (27/11/2022). The match ended in a 1-1 draw.

Kroos' maturity

On the other hand, Kroos' experience in leading the team is also needed by Germany. The Madrid assistant captain has played in 106 international matches since his debut in 2010. Only Thomas Mueller (126) and Manuel Neuer (115) have recorded more appearances with the Die Mannschaft team.

Nagelsmann is currently in a difficult situation. Germany won against the United States with a score of 3-1 in his debut after replacing Hansi Flick. However, they failed to win again in three consecutive opportunities. Germany even lost in the last two matches in November 2023.

Nagelsmann has become one of the German coaches with the worst start, equaling Erich Ribbek (1998) who only led the team for 24 matches. This trend is not good news ahead of the European Cup. Midfield generals like Kroos are expected to provide more maturity to the team.

For Germany, the match against France will be a new strength benchmark. They have always been in the shadow of France recently. "Germany is going through a difficult period. However, they will seek revenge. We must be careful," said French midfielder Aurelien Tchouameni. (AP/REUTERS)