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#2 Toni Kroos leads Real's encouraging midfield showing
In UCL gameweek 4, I stressed the importance of Kroos' role for Real Madrid and how his presence would have a significant baring on their level of success this season. On this occasion, the silky German again not only proved his worth as their best and most dependable midfielder, but again proved he's capable of doing it on both sides of the pitch - creatively while not shying away from his defensive duties either.
Despite continued praise for 21-year-old teammate Federico Valverde, who continues to keep Luka Modric on the substitutes' bench, 29-year-old Kroos is unfazed and the metronome that controls the tempo for Real while allowing other players to express themselves freely with his calming presence alongside them.
He was unafraid to test Keylor Navas on a number of occasions and unfortunate not to score a goal or two over the 90 minutes, such was the Costa Rica international's string of excellent saves to keep PSG in the match at 1-0. He combined with teammates well, as eyecatching touches and impressive ball movement was the key as Real looked comfortably the better side for large periods.
Effortlessly dispossessing Neymar and co in midfield, his match stats speak for themselves: 124 touches, 101 successful passes (98.1% accuracy), seven key passes, four duels won, three tackles.
Casemiro started as he meant to go on with a forceful but fair tackle on Mbappe in the early exchanges, evoking raucous cheers from the home supporters. He made four tackles but also committed just as many fouls, so wasn't exactly at his best.
Valverde meanwhile, worked hard defensively (three tackles, three interceptions, two key passes) but will do well to focus on asserting his starting berth in this Real side without the commentators' curse, overhyping him too soon given his age and relative inexperience among Europe's elite competition - similar to compatriot Rodrigo Bentancur at Juventus.
