Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos says injuries can not be used as excuse as they prepare to take on city rivals in the second leg of their Champions League quarter final tie.
Los Blancos go into the game at the Santiago Bernabeu without the services of Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema due to injury, while Brazilian left-back Marcelo will miss the game through suspension.
But speaking at a press conference ahead of the meeting between last year’s finalists, the German World Cup winner said whoever plays will be properly prepared and there will be no excuses should the holders fail to make it into the semi-final.
He told journalists: “It’s not good to have so many key players injured, but there is no point complaining about it. There is no doubt that Modric is an important player for the team but we have to focus on winning the game.
“We are very motivated. We had a good result in the first leg. Atletico have been difficult opponents for us but tomorrow we have the chance to beat them. Winning will be beautiful for us. We have to repeat our first-half performance in the first leg. However, we have to do it during the whole game this time.
“Everybody knows Atletico – they have been very successful against us in recent matches. Our objective is to qualify for the semi-finals. We have to dominate the midfield and we will create chances if we manage to do so.”
Real madrid should keep the intensity for the whole game and not only in the first half and very clinical in front of the goal post
Real madrid should keep the intensity for the whole game and not only in the first half and be very clinical in front of the goal post
God be with you guys in todays Derby.