Toni Kroos Reveals What He Believes Is Real Madrid's Biggest Challenge Right Now

Toni Kroos has pointed to insufficient defensive unity as the primary reason behind Real Madrid's disappointing performance throughout the 2024–25 campaign.

Previous head coach Carlo Ancelotti frequently discussed the absence of seamless coordination throughout his squad, and this concern is thought to have troubled new manager Xabi Alonso, who is reportedly preparing decisive discussions with star players including Kylian Mbappé and Vinicius Junior to address the underlying issues plaguing the 15-time European champions.

"Having the sense that you're defending as one unit greatly benefits the team," Kroos mentioned on his Einfach mal Luppen podcast. "Your energy levels increase when you regain possession.

"Without this unity, you're perpetually chasing from behind, or you sense that pressing is futile because opponents consistently outmaneuver you, and you also feel unable to drop back because it's unfamiliar territory. This was our greatest weakness last season, which is why our ball-playing abilities appeared so inadequate."

When questioned about what Real Madrid requires to reestablish their status as a dominant force, Kroos emphasized that implementing a robust tactical framework takes precedence over acquiring new talent.

"To return to the summit, the crucial elements in my view are concentration, a structured approach, and understanding how this new framework would function and be executed," he stated. "From there, you can determine which players are needed based on your desired style of play.

"I have confidence in Xabi's ability to communicate a precise vision. It's fundamentally about control. If they improve defensively, they'll succeed in attack as well."

Senior executives at Real Madrid are reportedly equally worried about the defensive fragmentation, and expectations that these problems would resolve themselves after Ancelotti's exit were swiftly dashed during the Club World Cup.

Real Madrid's group phase was marked by critical defensive lapses, and these blunders continued into the elimination rounds where Alonso's team allowed two goals against Borussia Dortmund before suffering a devastating 4–0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain.