Toni Kroos injury: Bayern Munich to miss six weeks

There is no other player who better exemplifies the Bayern Munich attack. The Bavarians pick apart defences with a combination of speed, skill and thoughtfulness that tends to rip the opposition to shreds no matter how well organised their defence. Most of their players slot into that system nicely, but few are as adaptable as Kroos -- he can play anywhere in that midfield and acquit himself superbly.

And on top of that, he’s fun to watch. Really, really fun. Kroos is a player who’s just beginning to come out of his shell and show what he’s capable of on the pitch, and his play is so focused on efficiency that it’s artistic in a way that Ribery’s buzzing runs or Robben’s ... Robbenness can’t match. If you needed an example of intelligent, all-around midfield play, Kroos is your man. His technical ability is from another word, and his skillfulness is matched by vision that, unlike most ‘attacking midfielders,’ translates into defensive intelligence as well.

The midfielder went down early in the first half clutching his groin and was tended to by trainers before leaving the pitch without a thought of returning. Shortly after, the club’s official Twitter confirmed that Kroos had suffered a muscle tear, although the severity of the tear and the length of his absence was unknown until Rummenigge spoke after the win.

With the Bundesliga title essentially wrapped up, Bayern do not need Kroos for the league, but they would certainly like to have their brilliant midfielder for the Champions League. If Kroos returns in six weeks, he will have missed the second leg of the quarterfinal tie versus Juventus and the semifinals, but if Bayern make the May 25 final, he should be available again.