Kroos defends ex-Real Madrid teammate Vini Jr after Clasico meltdown: But reflect...

Kroos defends ex-Real Madrid teammate Vini Jr after Clasico meltdown: But reflect...

Toni Kroos has jumped to the defence of former Real Madrid teammate Vinicius Jr after his El Clasico meltdown.

Vini Jr was furious when substituted on 72 minutes by coach Xabi Alonso.

Reflecting on the antics, Kroos said: "When you put in an exceptional performance, especially in a match like this, you're not happy. I've never liked being substituted.

"But to be honest, I've never gone straight to the locker room afterwards.

"You can always judge from the outside, but I like to keep in mind that, in reality, no one, except those who are there, at a Clasico and in front of 80,000 spectators with the score at 2-1, knows that he wants anything more than to leave. No one who judges him, in the end, can imagine that emotion. Or often. Most of those who judge him simply can't put themselves in his shoes."0

Kroos also said, "When he thinks calmly and with a certain detachment, he'll probably think, 'Well, I can keep my anger to myself for a little longer.' I can understand that, but as you can see in the photos, it doesn't look ideal. However, I want to emphasize that it's an exceptional emotional state when you're down there in a match like that."0

The German also had a word for Real Madrid fans.

He concluded: "I've experienced it many times, so you shouldn't always take everything so seriously. Usually, coaches don't either. Especially those who were players."