Veteran German midfielder Toni Kroos has weighed in on Barcelona’s crushing UEFA Champions League semi-final defeat to Inter Milan, pointing fingers at the Catalan club’s defensive choices as the main cause of their elimination. Speaking candidly on his podcast “Einfach mal Luppen,” which he co-hosts with his brother Felix, Kroos suggested that Barcelona’s selection of Iñigo Martínez and Pau Cubarsí over the pacey Ronald Araújo proved costly in their dramatic 4-3 loss at the San Siro.
The defeat, which handed Inter Milan a 7-6 aggregate victory over two legs, ended Barcelona’s hopes of a return to European glory and has sparked widespread criticism and analysis.
Inter Edges Thriller to Book Final Spot
In what was one of the most entertaining Champions League fixtures of the season, Inter Milan defeated Barcelona 4-3 in the second leg of their semi-final clash. After a 3-3 draw in the first leg at the Olympic Stadium in Barcelona, Inter’s tactical execution and sharp finishing saw them through to the final.
The aggregate scoreline of 7-6 paints a picture of two fiercely contested battles between two European giants. But according to Kroos, Barcelona’s tactical risk in defence, particularly their decision to deploy the relatively inexperienced Cubarsí alongside veteran Martínez, backfired at the worst possible moment.
Kroos: “The Risk Was Always Going to Catch Up”
Reflecting on the game during his podcast, Kroos gave credit to both Martínez and Cubarsí for their individual qualities but emphasized that the absence of Ronald Araújo’s pace created vulnerabilities that Inter exploited.
“Iñigo Martínez and Cubarsí are very strong defenders in terms of positioning and technique,” Kroos said. “They’re perhaps better in certain aspects than Araújo. But what they lack is his speed — and that’s where the problem was.”
Kroos continued by stating that Barcelona’s high defensive line, which has become a trademark of their modern playing style, works best with a defender like Araújo, who can recover quickly when attackers breach the line.
“It’s always a risk when you play a high line without a quick defender. Inter are too intelligent not to take advantage of that,” he added. “Barcelona’s strategy often brings success and dazzling performances, but I always felt that a day would come when that risk would be punished. And it happened against Inter.”
Barcelona Left to Regret Costly Defensive Errors
Barcelona manager Xavi Hernandez opted to start the youthful Pau Cubarsí — who has impressed in La Liga — alongside the experienced Martínez, leaving Araújo on the bench in what many saw as a surprising move. While both players made critical interventions throughout the match, there were moments of hesitation and poor positioning that allowed Inter to capitalize, most notably during Lautaro Martínez’s third goal, which shifted the momentum firmly in the Italian side’s favor.
Critics have also pointed to the lack of coordination and communication between the center-backs, who struggled to deal with Inter’s fast breaks and quick interchanges in the final third.
Reaction from the Barcelona Camp
Following the defeat, Barcelona captain Sergio Busquets admitted that the team had taken risks but emphasized that they would not abandon their philosophy.
“We play our football with conviction,” Busquets said. “Yes, sometimes we get exposed, but that’s the price of staying true to our style. We lost today, but we’ll keep believing.”
Manager Xavi also defended his selection choices post-match.
“Ronald [Araújo] had a minor knock, and we didn’t want to risk worsening it,” Xavi said in a press conference. “We trust all our players, and Iñigo and Pau have done well for us. Football is about moments, and Inter took theirs.”
A Shift in Focus: El Clasico and La Liga Hopes
With their Champions League dreams dashed, Barcelona will now turn their full attention to La Liga, where they still have an outside chance of catching arch-rivals Real Madrid. The two teams are set to face off in the highly anticipated El Clasico this Sunday — a fixture that could be decisive in the title race.
Barcelona currently trail Madrid by several points and will need a win at the Santiago Bernabéu to keep their hopes alive. The team’s response to their European disappointment will be under intense scrutiny, and all eyes will be on whether Xavi chooses to recall Araújo to the starting XI.
Kroos: “Barcelona Will Come Back Stronger”
Despite his criticism, Kroos was gracious in acknowledging Barcelona’s overall performance this season and said he expects the Catalans to bounce back.
“They’ve built a young, exciting team. Cubarsí is a huge talent, and the experience will only make him better,” Kroos said. “Defeats like this hurt, but they also teach you. I’m sure Barcelona will come back stronger — they always do.”
Kroos’s comments have added fuel to the build-up for El Clasico, with fans on both sides debating tactical setups and lineup decisions. The German midfielder, who has hinted this could be his final season, will likely feature in what could be one of his last showdowns with the Catalan side.
Conclusion
Barcelona’s dramatic Champions League exit at the hands of Inter Milan has sparked intense discussion around tactical risks and defensive choices. With club legend Toni Kroos offering candid insight into where it went wrong, attention now shifts to how the Blaugrana will respond in one of the biggest matches of their season.
Can Xavi rally his team to deliver a statement performance in El Clasico, or will Madrid tighten their grip on the domestic title? One thing is certain — the fallout from this defeat is far from over.
