Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has sent a clear message to Toni Kroos ahead of his side's crucial Champions League Round of 16 second-leg against Paris Saint-Germain.
The German midfield maestro is a fitness doubt for the clash and it is likely that a late decision will be taken regarding whether he will make the starting line-up.
The injury setback for Kroos creates somewhat of a headache for Ancelotti, who already is without robust midfielder Casemiro – who is suspended for the clash due to an accumulation of yellow cards.
The potential absence of the former Bayern Munich midfielder would ensure that Luka Modric is the only available starter from Madrid’s regular first-choice trio in the middle.
It has been suggested that Fede Valverde will be the automatic replacement for Casemiro, although if Kroos is also absent there may be less certainty over the balance of the midfield.
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The German missed Saturday’s 4-1 win over Real Sociedad in La Liga due to the injury, where Eduardo Camavinga took his place in the starting line-up.
The French teenager scored a magnificent long-range strike in the match and put in an impressive display across the 90 minutes.
Dani Ceballos – who has been a fringe player in the Spanish capital all campaign – came on as a late substitute to allow Modric to enjoy a rest ahead of the clash against PSG.
Modric, Camavinga and Valverde is likely to be the midfield selection if Kroos is absent, but Ceballos and Isco are other options in Ancelotti’s squad.
Another option is that David Alaba – who has formed a central defensive partnership with Eder Militao this campaign – is pushed into the midfield, with Nacho Fernandez taking his place in defence.
The Italian boss said ahead of the game that no decision had yet been taken on Kroos, but they were not prepared to take a risk on his fitness for the occasion.
Ancelotti said: "Any player who is not at 100 per cent cannot play this type of game.
"If I think that Kroos is at 100 per cent he plays, if I think he is at 95 per cent he does not play."
In attack, Vinicius Junior and Karim Benzema are certain to stop – unless they suffer a late fitness setback – with a decision to be made over the third attacker, which is likely to be either Rodrygo Goes or Marco Asensio.
The first leg of the tie was decided by Kylian Mbappe’s late winner last month in a match in which Mauricio Pochettino’s side had dominated, with Lionel Messi seeing his penalty saved by Thibaut Courtois.
