Toni Kroos raises doubts over Barcelona’s defensive options in Europe

Toni Kroos has praised Barcelona’s football under Hansi Flick but warned that their attacking approach could prevent them from winning the Champions League if opponents exploit the space behind their advanced defensive line.

The former Real Madrid midfielder ranked Barcelona alongside Bayern Munich and Paris Saint-Germain among Europe’s strongest sides, while stressing that attacking quality alone would not guarantee success in the competition.

Kroos pointed to Barcelona’s meeting with Atletico Madrid and the problems they encountered against Paris Saint-Germain as examples of the challenges they could face against teams capable of closing down space and limiting their usual style.

“Barcelona always try to create more chances than their opponents, but in the Champions League you face teams that can score several goals in a match,” Kroos said on his podcast, according to Sport.

“You also come up against opponents who defend exceptionally well and do not allow you to play in your usual way. When that happens, you have to know how to defend yourself.”

Kroos singles out Yamal

Kroos was particularly impressed by Lamine Yamal’s performance against Atletico Madrid, saying the winger’s influence had been enough to make Barcelona appear capable of changing the match through one player.

“Lamine Yamal’s first 25 minutes were absolutely exceptional,” he said. “It was the kind of performance that makes you believe one player can change a match on his own.

“It seemed every dangerous Barcelona attack went through him. That was not because his team-mates were finding him in perfect positions; he was creating the advantage himself, beating opponents and producing chances through his individual ability.

“At one point, you imagine him saying to his team-mates: ‘Just give me the ball and we will turn the result around.’”

Kroos identified Barcelona’s most serious weakness as their lack of defenders capable of dealing with one-on-one situations when an opponent beats their high press and finds large areas behind the back line.

He used Bayern Munich defender Dayot Upamecano as an example of the type of player he believes Barcelona do not possess – someone who could be left alone against an attacker with 30 metres of space behind him without causing concern.

Pau Cubarsi was the exception to Kroos’ criticism. He described the Barcelona defender as clearly the team’s best option because of his strength in individual duels and the pace that allows him to cope with difficult situations.

“When I look at the other three defenders, I do not see anyone I trust to defend alone against an attacker with 30 metres of open space behind him,” Kroos added.

He said that once Barcelona’s press is broken, opponents are presented with huge areas to attack, while the defenders responsible for covering them do not possess the required speed or outstanding defensive ability.

Kroos contrasted that situation with having Upamecano and Alphonso Davies in the team, saying he would not be worried about defending such space with those players. The task, he added, would become much more difficult with Joao Cancelo, Gerard Martin and players of a similar profile.

Despite his reservations, Kroos made clear that he admired Barcelona’s approach.

“Personally, I absolutely love the way Barcelona play,” he said. “I think their football is excellent and extremely enjoyable to watch, but the problem is that they do not have the exceptional defensive quality required to play this way without exposing themselves to serious problems.”