Toni Kroos has hinted that he is growing frustrated with Julen Lopetegui’s tactical decisions at Real Madrid, reminding the manager that he is not Casemiro.
The German has built a reputation as one of the finest playmakers in the world over the past decade but has been asked to play a deeper role by his new boss.
Lopetegui has positioned Kroos to operate alongside Brazil international Casemiro at the base of midfield in an attempt to make the side more defensively sound.
However, Los Blancos have not won in four matches, failing to find the net on each occasion.
And Kroos is hoping Lopetegui will tweak his tactics and allow him to push higher up the pitch.+
Kroos told reporters ahead of a UEFA Nations League outing for Germany against the Netherlands: ‘It’s a challenge to reverse this situation.
‘We’ve shown we can do it. We’ve always had phases like these. It doesn’t worry me.
‘I like playing deeper, but I’m not Casemiro.’
Madrid, who sit fourth in La Liga, host Levante next on Saturday.