The German works unhurriedly, but with dedication - Kroos sets the tempo, the rest play along

Posted Thursday, August 14, 2014 by Marca.com

Toni Kroos has that rare ability to deliver the ball to anyone wearing the same colours as him. It would seem elementary and even sounds easy. It isn't. This is why in Kroos's first game for Real Madrid, it felt as if he had been playing for the club his whole life.

If the managers had agreed to a swap at half-time and Kroos had played the second half wearing the red shirt of Sevilla, exactly the same thing would have happened. The German would have played just as brilliantly.

Kroos's presence does not mean that Xabi Alonso is surplus to requirements. He does not overshadow Modric, block off Khedira or negate Illarramendi. He enriches the Real midfield, which was crying out for players like him. Players with perfect rhythm and an uncanny accuracy. Predictable, you could argue, but effective and natural. Players who do what needs to be done. These humble ball-smiths do not cause a stir. They do not wear headbands or sport tattoos. Glory is for the others, the ball is for Kroos.

The tune played by the Real Madrid side which we saw in Cardiff was composed by a German who works unhurriedly, but with dedication. The rest of them we knew well. What remains to be seen is whether Casillas is back to his former self and whether James Rodríguez is worth his price tag or turns out to be a Colombian Kaka.