Bayern Strikes
Fansided

An interview with a Madridista ahead of Bayern Munich vs. Real Madrid

By Benjamin Scott

MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Thiago (L) of FC Bayern Munich vies for the ball with Carlos Henrique Casemiro (R) of Real Madrid during their 2016-17 UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals second leg match between Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 18 April 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images)
MADRID, SPAIN - APRIL 18: Thiago (L) of FC Bayern Munich vies for the ball with Carlos Henrique Casemiro (R) of Real Madrid during their 2016-17 UEFA Champions League Quarter-finals second leg match between Real Madrid and FC Bayern Munich at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on 18 April 2017 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Power Sport Images/Getty Images) /
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Former teammates James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos will look to be the key playmakers for their teams in the upcoming tie. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images)
Former teammates James Rodriguez and Toni Kroos will look to be the key playmakers for their teams in the upcoming tie. (Photo by Gonzalo Arroyo Moreno/Getty Images) /

6. Finally, two questions about some world-class midfielders. To what extent has Toni Kroos’ development been down to his managers? Or is it largely due to his exposure to other top players like Modric, Ronaldo, et al?

Can you really manage a robot? I’m pretty sure you don’t manage Toni Kroos, you just make sure he’s well oiled and has his proper programming coordinates.

Kidding of course, but I really think that Toni Kroos is the kind of player who would excel under any manager. It’s great that Zidane has gotten the most out of him, but Toni Kroos puts in so many good performances that it seems almost automatic for him.

I have to imagine it’s hard for Bayern fans seeing him winning trophies for Madrid. He has definitely been the bargain of the century. I do think Kroos has benefited from playing alongside Modric and Casemiro. Modric is just amazing and Casemiro does the dirty work, both allow Kroos to thrive.

7. Lastly, James Rodriguez has been immense for Bayern Munich this season. What went wrong for him under Zidane? Why was playing time so hard for him to come by?

Oh James, how I miss you so. James Rodriguez is the absolute business, and I’m really sad we let him go on this weird loan deal. You win some, you lose some, I guess.

I think James fell victim to two things: First, nobody expected Cristiano Ronaldo to be this good for this long. I think Perez bought James with the idea that he would help ease the transition away from Cristiano Ronaldo, along with Gareth Bale. But Ronaldo has aged like a fine wine, and if James is going to win minutes from someone, it’s definitely not Ronaldo.

Second, I think James fell victim to the hard work and perseverance of one Isco Alarcon. Isco played out of his mind last season every time he was given an opportunity, and demonstrated tactical flexibility to help Zidane work out weird schemas. At their core, James and Isco were both No. 10’s in a team that didn’t use a No. 10. Isco adapted and survived, James, despite some excellent performances during his time at Madrid, found himself the odd man out.

Next: Bayern Munich have all the right pieces to replace injured Arturo Vidal

Well, there you have it. Keep an eye on The Real Champs for their similar interview with me, where we talk rotation, Jupp Heynckes, Manuel Neuer and more.