Kroos argued that Barcelona will come “against teams that defend exceptionally well” and won’t allow them to play the way they want.
By Kehinde Okeowo
Former Germany and Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has claimed it would be difficult for Barcelona to lift the UEFA Champions League (UCL) trophy this season.
He expressed doubts about the La Liga giants’ ability to win the elite European competition in the latest edition of his Einfach mal Luppen podcast.
Barcelona last won the Champions League in June 2015, defeating Serie A side Juventus 3–1 in the final held at the Olympiastadion in Berlin, Germany.
They are currently 5th in the UCL league table with 9 points, behind Paris Saint-Germain, Real Madrid, Arsenal, and Como after winning three games and losing one out of four.
Discussing Hansi Flick’s side’s chances of winning the UCL on the show, Kroos said it would be very difficult for them to secure their sixth trophy.
According to the former Germany international, Barça’s style of play relies on scoring more goals than their opponents.
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He went on to argue that such an approach cannot win the trophy, noting that they will come “against teams that defend exceptionally well” and won’t allow them to play the way they want.
Speaking on the show, Kroos said: “With this style of play, it’s very difficult for Barcelona to win the Champions League.
“Barcelona’s approach is always based on creating more chances than their opponents.
“But in the Champions League, that becomes much, much harder… You face teams that are capable of scoring several goals in a single game.
“You also come up against teams that defend exceptionally well and simply WON’T allow you to play the way you want.”
