Bellingham, Musiala, Wirtz – there are a few young stars who can cause a stir at the European Championships. Toni Kroos has high hopes for his DFB colleagues. And he says what problems defenders have with them.
The German national football team also has two hot candidates for the category of best young stars of the home European Championship: the offensive wizards Jamal Musiala and Florian Wirtz.
Real Madrid’s six-time Champions League winner Toni Kroos believes the two 21-year-old attackers will play well at the home tournament and play a decisive role in shaping the coming decade in international football. Similar to his Real colleague Jude Bellingham (20), who plays for England, but who Kroos sees as a more physical player with a different overall package.
“I said back in March that there are few limits for both of them,” said Kroos shortly before the DFB selection’s opening match of the European Championship against Scotland in Munich this Friday. The 34-year-old, who himself had a world-class career at Real Madrid, did, however, name a few prerequisites for a similarly successful career for Bayern pro Musiala and Bayer Leverkusen’s double winner Wirtz.
Firstly, “that they stay healthy”. And secondly, that they develop an absolute winning mentality and consistently perform at the top level. “One or two seasons is all well and good. It’s really world class if you do that for ten years. But both have everything they need to be at the top in the next few years.” They just have to fulfil the promise that lies within them. “The footballing ability is obviously there. The conditions are also very good in terms of attitude,” praised Kroos.
“Flo and Jamal are difficult players to grasp”
The 2014 world champion also described what makes it so difficult for defenders to stop Wirtz and Musiala. “Flo and Jamal are players that are very difficult for the opponent to tackle. They are outstanding in one-on-one situations and can resolve situations in tight spaces. They are players that you as a defender always have a bit of doubt about: should I go for them or not? If I go for them, there is always the danger that they will swerve. And then I’m standing there and the player is no longer there,” Kroos said.
German national coach Julian Nagelsmann is also hoping for this quality from his “magicians” at the European Championships – and that in the first group match against the Scots. Kroos’ task will be to use them decisively with his passes from the defensive midfield.
Source: Stern
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