Real Madrid to be without Toni Kroos for crucial final day Villarreal clash

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Spanish champions Real Madrid will not be able to call on the services of key midfielder Toni Kroos for the club’s meeting with Villarreal this weekend, it has been confirmed.

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Nacho decides it

Zinedine Zidane’s men were of course back in action on Sunday evening.

Los Blancos made the trip to the Basque county, for a La Liga showdown with Athletic Bilbao.

The clash marked an absolutely crucial one for Real, who, ahead of kick-off, sat just two points adrift of table-topping Atletico, amid a tense battle for Spanish supremacy.

In turn, the visitors were aware that nothing but a victory would suffice at the San Mames, a little over 24 hours ago.

And, when all was said and done, bag their latest 3-point haul is precisely what Los Merengues managed.

A solitary goal proved enough to keep Real’s hopes of retaining the La Liga title very much alive, as surprise hero Nacho Fernandez broke free at the back post to slot home 20 minutes from time:

Real Madrid have scored! ?

Nacho didn’t know anything about it, but what a monumental goal that could prove to be ?

Benzema was in an offside position, but must have been deemed not to be interfering as the goal stood after a VAR review ? pic.twitter.com/v1NsY9zhfe

— Premier Sports ? (@PremierSportsTV) May 16, 2021

Atletico Madrid, meanwhile, also got the job done on Sunday, battling back from a goal down to best Osasuna at the Wanda Metropolitano.

As such, ahead of this weekend’s final round of fixtures, it remains all to play for in the Spanish top-flight.

Kroos ruled out

As outlined above, though, one of the two remaining title challengers – Real – have today been dealt a serious blow on the personnel front.

As confirmed in an official statement on the club’s part, midfield standout Toni Kroos has returned a positive test for Covid-19.

The German has actually been in self isolation since last Friday, after coming into direct contact with an individual who subsequently went on to test positive themselves.

In turn, Kroos will now remain in quarantine for the coming week+, ruling him out of Los Blancos’ final day meeting with Villarreal on Saturday.