Euro 2024: Leroy Sane says Toni Kroos makes Germany 'stronger', looks forward to 'duel' with Spain star Lamine Yamal
Published 02/07/2024 at 18:42 GMT+1
Germany winger Leroy Sane says team-mate Toni Kroos has transformed the side following his return at the UEFA European Championships. Kroos, who retired from international football three years ago, returned to the Germany set-up ahead of Euro 2024 on home soil and will retire from the sport after the tournament. “I think everyone knows what quality Toni has,” Sane said.
‘We just weren’t stable enough before’ – Sane says Kroos has made Germany ‘stronger’
Video credit: SNTV
Leroy Sane feels Toni Kroos’ return to the German national team has made them “stronger” at the European Championships and has helped to eliminate weaknesses in Julian Nagelsmann’s side.
Kroos returned to the international scene earlier this year following talks with head coach Nagelsmann, despite initially retiring in 2021.
No matter what happens, Euro 2024 will spell the end of Kroos’ illustrious career as the 34-year-old announced he will retire following the conclusion of the tournament in Germany.
Germany will hope to claim European glory on home soil to give Kroos a fairytale end to his career, and Sane has admitted that the former Real Madrid star’s return to the side has been invaluable.
“Yeah, I think a lot [has changed with Kroos' return]. Silence. Control,” Sane said ahead of Germany’s mouthwatering quarter-final with Spain.
“I think everyone knows what quality Toni has, what he brings to the table. And that also helps us a lot.”
Germany were knocked out by England in the last 16 at Euro 2020, the country’s worst finish to a European campaign since 2004.
Sane admitted that there have been problems with stability in the German team in recent years, which included a dismal group-stage exit at the 2022 World Cup in Qatar in Kroos’ absence.
“I think we just weren't stable enough before,” Sane said, reflecting on the period Kroos was not playing for Germany.
“That was simply one of our biggest weaknesses. He's actually taken that weakness away from us right from the start.
“Simply because of the calmness that he brings himself, also as a guy. The relaxed attitude. And, yes, that's why you can see at the moment that things are going very, very well.
“We're all very happy that he's come back and simply made us stronger.”
Kroos has played all four matches for Germany at the Euros so far as Nagelsmann’s side topped their group, beating the likes of Scotland and Hungary before salvaging a draw against Switzerland.
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Sane looks forward to 'duel' with Yamal
Germany earned a clash against Denmark in the first knockout round which they won 2-0 to set up a meeting with the impressive Spain for a place in the semi-finals.
Spain came through their group without conceding a goal and comfortably breezed past Georgia in the last 16.
Sane is expecting an electric meeting between the two nations later this week, who in his opinion, have been the standout teams.
"I do think that these are the two teams [Germany and Spain] that have played some of the best football in the tournament,” Sane analysed.
“That's why, as I said before, I think it will definitely be a very exciting game for everyone in the world and I think everyone is looking forward to it."
Two players that have made Spain look so dangerous so far are 16-year-old Barcelona sensation Lamine Yamal and Athletic Bilbao winger Nico Williams, 21.
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Lamine Yamal, Nico Williams, Spain, Euro 2024
Image credit: Getty Images
The pair are deployed on either flank and have both made goal contributions at the tournament as Spain look to end their 12-year wait for European success.
"They are two very, very strong players, strong dribblers for their age, especially to be able to play football like that at 16 [in Yamal's case] is very impressive," Sane said as he looked ahead to Germany's match against Spain.
"It's just fun to watch players like that because I play in the same position, I play a similar type of football and, yes, I'm just looking forward to the duel."
Germany play Spain on Friday, July 5 for a spot in the semi-finals.
discovery+ is the streaming home of the Olympic Games, and the only place you can watch every moment of Paris 2024 this summer.
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