Rayo Vallecano star insists Real Madrid are ‘missing’ their former maestro – ‘He made the team play’ | OneFootball

Luis Alfonso Espino, the Uruguayan left-back of Rayo Vallecano, recently shared his insights on Real Madrid’s current state and key players.

Espino believes Real Madrid are feeling the absence of Toni Kroos, a player who consistently controlled the game with his precise positioning and passing.

For Espino, Kroos was a central figure in Madrid’s dominance, and his absence has left a noticeable gap that the team is still striving to fill.

“Toni Kroos gave Real Madrid a lot. It’s my way of thinking because of everything I did,” he said as quoted by SPORT.

“It seemed that he was not but he was always well positioned, he made the team play and I think that they are noticing that lack a little and they want to make up for it in some way.”

Despite these challenges, Espino acknowledges that Real Madrid’s winning mentality remains intact. A minor lapse in focus or a single mistake is often enough for them to secure victory, a testament to their unwavering quality.

“They are missing him. They are trying, sometimes it is difficult for them, but in the end it is Real Madrid and they win. If you get a little distracted, they win the game. And if you have the slightest mistake, they beat you too.”

Dealing with Kylian Mbappe

Espino wants to face Kylian Mbappe. (Photo by Alex Caparros/Getty Images)

Espino is also preparing for the upcoming derby between Rayo Vallecano and Real Madrid. For him, this fixture is always significant, especially for Rayo’s passionate fanbase.

Having faced Real Madrid nine times in his career, Espino has only tasted victory once, highlighting the difficulty of competing against one of the most formidable teams in the league.

Discussing individual players, Espino shared his perspective on Kylian Mbappe and Vinicius Jr.

While he respects Mbappe’s incredible talent and blistering speed, he admitted he prefers marking players who are more inclined to play with the ball at their feet rather than exploiting spaces with relentless runs.

“I would like to play against him, but I prefer one that receives more at the foot. It’s difficult to be covering a player who is all the time throwing lines, playing in space, shooting runs and more with the speed he has,” he said.

Difference between Vinicius and Mbappe

Espino feels Vinicius and Mbappe are different. (Photo by Adam Nurkiewicz/Getty Images)

When comparing Mbappe to Vinicius, Espino highlighted their distinct playing styles. According to him, Vinicius is more direct and fearless, constantly engaging in one-on-one situations with defenders.

“I think so [they are different], at least as Mbappe is playing now, who is playing more as a striker and dropping to the wing all the time and shooting unmarked.

“Vinicius does everything also because he is very complete but he is more about receiving and facing you.”

His relentless approach and ability to repeatedly take on defenders make him equally difficult to handle. Espino also acknowledged the sheer strength of Madrid’s squad, noting their depth in talent and the quality of their roster.

“If he has to confront you forty times, he does it. That is also why it is very difficult to defend. In terms of names, he has a great team,” he noted.

As Rayo prepare to host Real Madrid, Espino remains focused on the task ahead, knowing the immense challenge his team faces against one of the best in the world.