Germany & Real Madrid Legend Praises Inter Milan Champions League Hero Acerbi: ‘I’d Rather Have Him Guard My House Than An Alarm Or German Shepherd’ | OneFootball

Toni Kroos says that he’d “rather have Francesco Acerbi guard his house than an alarm or a German shepherd.”

Speaking on the Einfach mal Luppen podcast, via FCInterNews, the legendary former Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, and Germany midfielder praised the tenacious Inter Milan defender.

Francesco Acerbi has certainly caught the eye with his performances for Inter Milan over the last few seasons.

Whilst the Italian international had been unheralded when he arrived, he has been a key man for Inter.

Acerbi has established himself as a regular starter both domestically and in Europe. He has played a key role in Inter winning the Serie A title.

And Acerbi has also been a pillar of Inter’s defense in two runs to the Champions League final.

Kroos: “I’d Rather Have Francesco Acerbi Guard My House Than An Alarm Or German Shepherd”

MILAN, ITALY – MAY 06: Francesco Acerbi of. FC Internazionale celebrates scoring his team’s third goal during the UEFA Champions League 2024/25 Semi Final Second Leg match between FC Internazionale Milano and FC Barcelona at Giuseppe Meazza Stadium on May 06, 2025 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Dan Mullan/Getty Images)

Francesco Acerbi really cemented a place for himself in Inter folklore with his goal against Barcelona on Tuesday.

The former Sassuolo and Lazio defender was playing as an emergency centre-forward as Inter desperately chased an equalizer in stoppage time.

And then, it was Acerbi who scored to set up extra time, in which Inter scored the winner.

It was a truly excellent strike from the 37-year-old. However, scoring goals like that is not Acerbi’s main job – marking strikers and keeping a lid on his own penalty area is.

Former midfielder Toni Kroos commented that “from the way he celebrated, you can tell he doesn’t normally score goals.”

Then, the German priased Acerbi for his mentality and tenacity. “If I had to choose between an alarm system, a German shepherd, and Acerbi to protect my house, I’d choose Acerbi,” he said.

“This is just pure mentality,” he added.