Spain striker Joselu Mato has told the media that he hopes to retire former Real Madrid teammate Toni Kroos on Friday, as La Roja face Germany. Kroos’ is playing his final tournament, and elimination would be the end of the road for the midfield great.
“We hope it is his last game. It is a game that is not special because of him being here. It is a quarter-final against a great team. We hope to retire Toni on Friday. He’s been a friend to me. I have spoken with him a lot and he has advised me a lot. He is fundamental for Germany and he has been for Real Madrid. We have to be careful with him on Friday.”
Of course being at Real Madrid with Kroos over the past year, the 33-year-old target man will be more than aware of his ability. Scotland found out in the opening game what happens if you put too little pressure on Kroos, but Joselu was asked about Spain pressing him. La Roja have generally attempted to win the ball back quickly so far this tournament.
“We know the conditions that Toni has. I think he is a fundamental player, but we cannot focus only on him. The ball goes through him every time Germany has possession… and Toni is a player who represents everything for them. We will have to have a special eye on him so that Germany do not enjoy the game.”
Joselu later stood behind his challenge to end Kroos’ career in the Euro 2024 quarter-finals.
“It is very important to win to qualify. About Toni, we have to believe in ourselves. We don’t care about the other team’s players. I think Friday will be Toni’s last game.”
Spain have played their way into the favourites tag, as the only side to pick up nine points in the group stages. They have also only conceded once, scoring nine goals in their four matches. Germany obviously count on home advantage too, and faced a much stiffer test in Denmark in the Round of 16.
