Kroos blasts Real Madrid-linked Schlotterbeck after Der Klassiker: “For me, it was a red card”

Everything suggests Borussia Dortmund squandered what may have been their last chance to keep their Bundesliga title hopes alive after a 3–2 defeat to Bayern Munich in Der Klassiker. The German heavyweight clash sparked widespread debate, particularly surrounding the performance of Nico Schlotterbeck.

The Borussia Dortmund defender, who has long been linked with a move to Real Madrid, found himself under intense scrutiny after several controversial decisions that influenced the flow of the game. His actions quickly became a talking point among analysts – including Toni Kroos.

The retired Real Madrid icon examined Schlotterbeck’s key moments on his podcast Einfach mal luppen. Kroos described the penalty conceded in the 69th minute as “not a very smart action,” making it clear what he believed the defender should have done instead: “stay away.”

The six-time Champions League winner was blunt about the situation that Harry Kane capitalized on to put Bayern ahead 2–1. “If I realize I’m going to be beaten in the box and I can’t get there, I have to accept it,” he said, emphasizing that the priority must be avoiding a mistake that directly leads to a goal.

Kroos argued that the foul on Josip Stanisic handed Bayern a “clear opportunity,” adding that Schlotterbeck ultimately “made everything worse.” His brother Felix Kroos, who co-hosts the podcast, also pointed to another controversial moment early in the game when Schlotterbeck brought down Serge Gnabry – an incident that “could also have been a penalty.”

As for a late, heavy challenge on Stanisic, Kroos closed with a firm verdict on the referee’s decision: “For me, it was a red card,” he said, disagreeing with the yellow card shown during the match.

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