Kroos: We can't afford an off-day

By the time Toni Kroos appeared for the regular lunchtime press conference on Ash Wednesday, he had long ago set aside a grisly ‘Leatherface’ mask and a fake chainsaw, accoutrements of a light-hearted team party on Sunday marking the traditional pre-Lent Fasching celebrations. “It's always good when a team does something together and has some fun. It can only be positive," Kroos remarked.

The players had a day off on Monday, but have been completely focused on Friday’s Bundesliga trip to VfL Wolfsburg since then. “We have to make sure we turn in a performance. If we do, we'll win," declared the Germany international, “but we mustn't underestimate them - and especially if we happen not to have a particularly good day."