Real Madrid dropped points for the first time this season on Saturday night as they were held to a 1-1 draw at Athletic Bilbao.

Isco came off the bench to cancel out Iker Muniain's close-range opener but the Champions League holders were unable to find a winning goal.

Julen Lopetegui named his strongest back four and front three, however Real's midfield was somewhat of an untested combination in San Mames.

Casemiro was rested ahead of Wednesday's Champions League tie with Roma, meaning Dani Ceballos was drafted in Toni Kroos adopted a different role.

Having watched the latter during the match, sections of the Spanish media came to a bold yet definitive conclusion about the German maestro.

Kroos' role for Real v Athletic

Kroos, now into his fifth season at Madrid, is comfortably regarded as one of the best playmakers and overall central midfielders in world football.

With Casemiro on the bench, however, Lopetegui deployed the World Cup winner in a defensive position in front of the back four, with Modric and Ceballos either side of him.

Kroos recorded a 95% accuracy rate from 71 passes but it seems as though some news outlets weren't impressed with his display - and Marca have led the way.

Marca's criticism of Kroos

The Madrid-based daily sports newspaper criticised Kroos' performance and went as far as to suggest that he simply doesn't have what it takes to be a holding midfielder.

"Julen Lopetegui wanted to rest Casemiro, who spent much of the week travelling as well as playing 180 minutes for Brazil," Marca wrote.

"And it meant that the coach chose Toni Kroos to fill in. The German was the anchor in midfield but he showed yet again that he is not a holding midfielder.

"He doesn't have the right approach for that role. His natural role is giving providing fluidity with his quality and clarity on the ball, but not recovering possession."

Marca even proposed a couple of youngsters as players who are more accustomed to the role than Kroos, adding: "Lopetegui has two more suitable alternatives.

"Fede (Federico) Valverde, who didn't travel to Bilbao, and Marcos Llorente, who was left out to watch from the stands."

Can Kroos play in holding midfield?

It's clear that Kroos is incredibly effective when he can find players in the final third, but to outright suggest he can't fill in as the deep-lying midfielder is a very big claim.

Check out Kroos' highlights in a video which the 27-year-old himself retweeted on Twitter:

Casemiro is set to return to the starting line-up against Roma, which should allow Kroos to revert to his normal position further up the field.

Do YOU think Kroos is good enough to play as a defensive or holding midfielder for Real? Have YOUR say in the comments box below!