Bayern Munich's Aleksandar Pavlovic responds to Toni Kroos comparison from Lothar Matthaus

"When Lothar Matthäus compares you with Toni Kroos, it's nice to hear, but there's still a long way to go. I have to stay grounded and keep working hard. Sergio Busquets was a player I looked up to in my position. Of course Kroos as well, especially towards the end of his career."

"Matthäus referred to Pavlović as a number six type of player that is a "ball machine," making a reference of admiration to his distribution abilities amongst a long list of laudations of Bayern's number 45. He also drew comparisons to former Germany, Real Madrid and Bayern midfielder Toni Kroos, who Matthäus sees a lot of in Pavlović."

"In the interview, Nagelsmann had made a point of saying that his current preferred midfield pairing for Germany consists of both Pavlović and Leon Goretzka since Joshua Kimmich is going to be the starting right back and even though Goretzka has not been a regular starter for Bayern."

Aleksandar Pavlović has established himself as a crucial midfielder for Bayern Munich under Vincent Kompany and is set to be a cornerstone of Germany's midfield for the upcoming World Cup. Julian Nagelsmann has identified Pavlović and Leon Goretzka as his preferred midfield pairing, with Joshua Kimmich moving to right back. Lothar Matthäus praised Pavlović in a Sky Germany column, describing him as a number six "ball machine" with exceptional distribution abilities. Matthäus drew comparisons between Pavlović and legendary midfielder Toni Kroos. While flattered by the comparison, Pavlović remains grounded, citing influences from Sergio Busquets, Kroos, Xavi, and Andrés Iniesta as players he admired in his position.

Read at Bavarian Football Works