“What Joselu said is normal, they want to win the Euro… I will do everything possible to prevent this from happening”

His imminent retirement (every game could be his last) makes Toni Kroos the most wanted player at Euro 2024. The match against Spain, like all the matches since Denmark, could become the final. It’s all over.’ But he is not afraid: He praises Spain, criticises Lehmann’s words and understands his former teammate Joselu’s desire to remove him.

Possible exit from the game with players from Spain and Madrid

“It’s normal, they want to win the tournament. I will do everything possible to prevent that from happening. They are here to win, and so are we. Let’s see what happens on Friday. The important thing is that they did not want to sack me from Madrid. They are my friends.”

How do you rate your last games as a player?

“Of course, it’s either in your head, but it doesn’t bother me, it’s the motivation to think that this is not the last game. I experienced it in the last 16 against Denmark, but it didn’t bother me. The motivation is to make it last as long as possible. It was my decision: ‘I know the situation and I can manage it. I want to go to the end and I will be happy without football, but I still hope to make it last a little longer.’

It’s motivation to think that this is not the last game.

De la Fuente says there is no better team than Spain

“I always like it when coaches and players have confidence when they say things like that. I see it differently, but I like that they have confidence. They just need to show it on Friday. I see it as a 50-50 game. We are both very good. It will all be decided in the details. I have nothing to say against them. They are playing well on Friday.

I think it’s a 50-50% coincidence. We are two very good teams. It will be decided in detail.

Statements by Jens Lehmann

“These words do not represent us. He always has a slightly different opinion. They have already shown that they have experience: Rodri, Morata, Nacho, Carva… What he says is not true. We expect a very top Spain. They are playing well, but we will also be pleased.”

Lehman’s words do not represent us. Always a slightly different opinion

Champions League final and comebacks with Madrid

“It’s not about adopting or adapting, it’s about feeling it. In Germany, we feel that our qualities are growing. You can be an example for your teammates, but the other players have to feel it first-hand. In the game against the Netherlands, that’s what happened. There was a friendly, for example, and we believed that we could come back and overcome difficulties, like against Switzerland, Hungary, Denmark… It’s important to know that you can’t win every game 5-1, like against Scotland. I believe in us.”

How Germany Sees Spain

“I don’t think there will be many surprises. Everyone is known, including here in Germany, not just us. There are always details that can be brought to the team meetings, but I don’t think there will be any surprises. All the players don’t know well.”

His brother Felix

“I talk to him a lot, we have a podcast where we talk about a lot of things, not just football.”

Back to selection

“If I didn’t have important goals, I wouldn’t have returned to the national team, but I felt it was a great opportunity to win the European Cup with these players. On the other hand, in Madrid it was about continuing to maintain the level of success season after season, so I decided to retire.”

If I didn’t have important goals, I wouldn’t have returned to the national team, but I felt it was a great opportunity to win the European Cup.

Play with three or four defenders

“It’s good to have two options and adapt to different options. We only play with three pressers. For me, not much changes, except maybe that if you only play as a holding midfielder, you need to find a balance. The main thing is that the defense is safe.”

What will you do after retirement?

“I have three children. This will be my main task. I also want to open my own Academy.”

Your haircut

“I like it, but my wife doesn’t (laughs)”

Yamal Musiala

“I’m not young anymore (laughs). He’s been at Barcelona for a year now and the consistency and confidence he has is incredible. He’s one of the most dangerous players. We’ve faced each other a few times and it’s impressive. We’ve studied him: ‘Spain has very good strikers, Niko too, and we all have to protect him. At his age, it’s not normal to play in tournaments like this. We hope to work hard and not fly like a bird.’ What he does at his age is just outstanding.”

What Yamal is doing at his age is remarkable. We have met each other several times and it is impressive.

Words by Joselu

“He said it because he wants to win. I understand that it is his idea that he wants Spain to reach the semi-finals, but I think Germany have a lot of things that can prevent Spain from going through. It will be an exciting match, the opposite of boring. What he says is funny.”

I understand what Joselu said, but I think Germany have a lot of things that can prevent Spain from passing by.

Differences between Kroos and Rodri

“He is one of the most determined players in Spain and at City. He is not nervous, he is always calm, he never seems to be under pressure… and in the last two years he has scored important goals. He is a top player, called upon to play for Guardiola. I think he is more of a holding player and I am more of a number 8.”

Rodri is a top player, I think he is more of a holding player and I am more of a number 8.

Qualities of Toni Ruediger

“I talk to Toni every day and he is not at all like the image he has of himself. Don’t try to change him because he is a great personality and he is a very popular player at Real Madrid, even though he is struggling with external rivals. box “I like that Rudiger is in my team and not as a rival. I am happy that he is with us. He likes to ask the rivals what they think of him.”

I like having Rudiger in my team, not as an opponent. I’m glad you’re with us. Likes to defend

Spain’s forward pressure

“Maybe it’s their idea. I know our opponents are watching us play and they’re not stupid. They also know our strengths. They may be close to me, but it’s about your strengths and how you can deal with them. Find solutions “Spain’s DNA is to dominate, not to cover for the opposition. If they try to be close to me, there will be other players who can exploit those gaps.”

If Spain puts pressure on me, we will try to find other gaps and take advantage of them.

How do you feel about what could be your last game?

“I am fully aware that football will not play a major role in my life. But I am not afraid. I have made a decision and I know that I will miss it. I enjoy it. I will have other “hobbies” that I will do instead.”

“There is a high level of quality in both teams. We know Spain. Their strengths and weaknesses. In my opinion, all the decisions in these games have been made in the center of the field for a long time now. There are many fantastic individuals in both teams. But we both want to have property. “We will see what we can do with it.”

there seems to be no pressure

“If you look at the last few months, there have been a lot of doubts about Germany’s ability in the last few months. We had a minimum target and we avoided talking about a disaster, but we have a target to win the European Championship and we are going to fight for that bonus: “We have a lot of ambition to go further.”

The last press conference

“I think I’ll miss you journalists less than I will miss football. I hope this isn’t my last game.”