Toni Kroos: Being at Real Madrid is special

The Germany international, who joined Madrid from Bayern Munich at the start of this season, also said what makes the club so special.

“At the end of the day the important thing is to work well within the team,” remarked the 25-year-old in an exclusive interview with FIFA.com.

“We tend to play with three central midfielders and at the moment I have the more defensive role. I have done since the start of the season and I very much enjoy playing there.

“Of course, the coach sets out certain demands for playing in that position but these coincide with my own interpretation of how to play there. So in that regard I’m delighted with the way things are going.

“Over the years I’ve moved further back bit by bit and that’s fine by me. At Madrid it’s important we have the right balance. Normally we have a lot of attack-minded players on the pitch so it’s almost of secondary importance to get forward.

“Instead I focus on how the game is going in the middle of the park and that we are well positioned.

“Being at Real Madrid is special and that only dawns on you when you travel with the club. Wherever you go people are always beside themselves to see you.

“We were in Dubai recently and that’s the kind of place you think you are going a long way away.

“But once we got there I had the feeling the people are even crazier, so to speak, than they are in Madrid and Spain. That says it all.”

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