'I am not Casemiro': Real Madrid star Toni Kroos hints at frustration with Julen Lopetegui's tactics

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Joe Krishnan13 October 2018

Real Madrid midfielder Toni Kroos has hinted at his frustration with coach Julen Lopetegui's tactics after being played out of position.

The European champions have had a poor start to the season under the Spaniard and have gone six hours and 49 minutes without scoring - the second-longest goal drought in their history.

Kroos, who has been a regular fixture in the Real Madrid starting line-up since his £25 million move from Bayern Munich in 2013, has added fuel to the fire by suggesting he doesn't enjoy playing deep like his Brazilian team-mate.

Speaking to reporters ahead of Germany's Nations League clash with the Netherlands, he said: “It’s a challenge to reverse this situation.

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“We’ve shown we can do it. We’ve always had phases like these. It doesn’t worry me.

"I like playing deeper, but I'm not Casemiro.”

Real Madrid currently sit fourth in La Liga and trail leaders Sevilla by two points, with arch rivals Barcelona perched in second place.

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They also suffered a shock defeat away to CSKA Moscow in the Champions League after resting several senior players.

Lopetegui has the worst record of managers appointed by president Florentino Perez after 10 games in charge and reports suggest his position is already under threat just four months into his reign.

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