“Real Madrid approached this match with great intelligence” - Toni Kroos makes feelings clear about El Clasico after eventful Barcelona loss

Germany legend Toni Kroos has admitted he is delighted with Real Madrid's win over Barcelona. He believes that Los Blancos could have scored more in the first half and praised Xabi Alonso for approaching the game with the right mindset.

Speaking on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast, Kroos said that Real Madrid took advantage of Barcelona's tactics, and it was a well-deserved win in El Clasico. He said (via Madrid Xtra):

"El Clásico? I'm very happy that Real Madrid won. A well-deserved victory. They took advantage of Barcelona's play. The score could've been higher at halftime. Real Madrid approached this match with great intelligence."

Talking about Vinicius Jr's reaction to getting substituted, he said that the people criticizing him do not understand the feeling of playing in front of 80,000 fans. The former midfielder defended the Brazilian star, recalling that he never liked being taken off as well, and added (via Real Total):

"When you play an outstanding game, especially in a game like this, you're at least not happy. I never liked being substituted either. I've never gone straight to the dressing room afterward, to be fair."

"You can always judge it from the outside, but I always like to keep in mind that really no one except those standing there, in a Clásico, in front of 80.000, with the score at 2-1 – you want everything but to get out. That emotion, none of those who judge it at the end can imagine. Or often. Most of those who judge it simply can't put themselves in its shoes."

Kylian Mbappe and Jude Bellingham scored in the first half, with Fermin Lopez getting the only goal for the Catalan side. The Frenchman had the chance to score another goal in the second half, but had his penalty saved by Wojciech Szczęsny.

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos warned Barcelona earlier this season

Real Madrid legend Toni Kroos spoke on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast earlier this season and warned Barcelona that they are way too open. He admitted that the Catalan side have an attractive style of football, but believes it will haunt them in the UEFA Champions League and said (via GOAL):

"Barca have one of the most attractive styles, if not the most attractive, in all of Europe. But I think they take too many risks. On a bad day from Pedri, Lamine [Yamal], or Raphinha, any team can hurt them and still win. They can eliminate them from the Champions League."

"Last year it happened to them against Inter, and this year, whether it's in the round of 16, quarter-finals, semi-finals, or final, at some point they'll come up against an opponent like this who eliminates them. This will happen to them in the Champions League, but not in La Liga, because they're so dominant."

Barcelona lost 2-1 to PSG earlier in the season in the UEFA Champions League. They are also five points behind Real Madrid in La Liga after the El Clasico loss.