What is the Spanish word for a 'glue', and the German one? Asking for a friend...
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Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 07.11.24. | 17:11
A vast majority of players can prove their qualities while on the pitch. Others, like these two, even more when they're not playing
"You watch the game, you don't see Busquets. You watch Busquets, you see the whole game."
Vicente del Bosque
That iconic quote captures the essence of not just Sergio Busquets, but a whole plethora of other impeccable players across Europe from that period. However, looking at the current squads of Manchester City and Real Madrid, we can't but to think about another setup.
Watching those two sides recently, it has become blatantly clear that the Cityzens and Los Blancos are not the same teams anymore without their key players - Rodri and Toni Kroos.
Rodri best season vs Toni Kroos in his retirement season pic.twitter.com/FaZJ8wFQEg
— Real Madrid Info ³⁶ (@RMadridInfo) October 28, 2024
When you watched them play, you maybe couldn't notice how big and important their roles were.
However, now, that they are out - Rodri due to a severe ACL injury, and Kross due to a retirement - it becomes painfully visible how essential they actually were for Pep Guardiola, Carlo Ancelotti and their respective teams.
They served as a 'glue' that was able to keep their teams together in terms of tactical setup and movements. Rodri and Kroos are silent operators that are able to keep the sides' composure and balance, which resulted in superb performances, both offensively and defensively.
Their absence resulted in a crumble that's almost palpable and definitely visible to everyone paying attention. Also, results are a living proof of it, with both giants struggling seriously in their domestic championships likewise in the Champions League.
Both Guardiola and Ancelotti have tried finding proper replacements, but instead ended up in shambles, which culminated in the last UCL defeats. Real Madrid were humbled by AC Milan at home 3-1, while Manchester City were battered by Ruben Amorim's Sporting Lisbon 4-1.
At this moment, it seems like Rodri-less City and Kroos-less Madrid are unable to resurrect and return to the levels imposed by those two stars. What do you reckon?
