Guardiola’s Reaction to Kroos’ Masterclass against Bayern: “If you let him…”

The first leg of the Champions League semi-finals between Real Madrid and Bayern Munich captivated audiences worldwide, including the Manchester City coach, who once again praised the Blancos’ number 8.

Real Madrid secured a 2-2 draw at Bayern Munich’s stadium, with Toni Kroos standing out as one of the game’s most remarkable players, showcasing magnificent form.

Everyone is talking about the performance of the 34-year-old German midfielder. His assist to Vinícius was one of the highlights of the match, prompting an unprecedented reaction from Pep Guardiola.

The Champions League semi-finals kicked off with Tuesday’s match between Bayern Munich and Real Madrid, undoubtedly one of the most exciting encounters in European football, following the thrilling tie that Carlo Ancelotti’s side had against Manchester City in the previous round.

Pep Guardiola, the Manchester City coach, was among the esteemed spectators of the match, following every moment of a game filled with goals, quality, and tactical prowess—an ideal appetizer for any football enthusiast, especially for a professional in the trade.

For the former Barcelona coach, one of the standout players of the match was undoubtedly Toni Kroos, who delivered a masterclass against his former team. The Blancos’ number 8 was the architect of Madrid’s first goal, delivering a sublime pass, exploiting the spaces left by the Bavarians, particularly after Joshua Kimmich failed to provide cover and Kim Min-jae lost his position, which Vinicius exploited brilliantly.

“If you allow him to receive and play… he controls the game like no one else,” Guardiola reportedly said in his inner circle about Kroos, a player he once coached during his tenure at Bayern, precisely before the German midfielder moved to Real Madrid. The coach has never hesitated to praise Kroos on numerous occasions, most recently during the tie his team played against Real Madrid.

In recent hours, a message allegedly sent by Rummenigge to Kroos before leaving Munich has surfaced, in which he refused to renew his contract and improve his salary because, according to the legendary German forward, Kroos “is not a top-level player.” This Tuesday, the former Bayern CEO watched the match from the stands and surely regrets his words…