Real Madrid: Sergio Ramos can’t play, but he’s still going to make a difference
Real Madrid center back Sergio Ramos has been suspended against Manchester City, but he’s still going to travel with the team.
It’s all on the line on Friday night at the Etihad Stadium, as Real Madrid will face Manchester City in the second leg of the Champions League Round of 16. Real lost 2-1 at the Santiago Bernabeu in late February, so now they need to score at least two goals of their own if they can somehow hold one of European football’s best attacks to a clean sheet.
Los Blancos will have to do it without their captain, superstar center back, penalty-taker, and second-leading goal-scorer in Sergio Ramos.
But while Ramos won’t be able to play on Friday night, he’s still going to do whatever he can, as the leader of this team, to make a difference. Winning means everything to him, and the hero of La Decima obviously wants to add a fifth Champions League trophy to his resume.
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According to a report from MARCA’s Santiago Siguero, Sergio Ramos will travel with his teammates to Manchester for the game and wants to “maintain his role as the leader of the team” against City.
Don’t underestimate the impact Ramos has on the team psychologically as the captain. Everyone respects him to the utmost level, and the motivation he can give to the team will be invaluable.
Beating a team as good as Manchester City with a manager like Pep Guardiola on the road in the Champions League knockout stages is not easy, and it’s especially difficult with the weight of a comeback on the team’s shoulders.
But Ramos has been in tough situations like this before, including in European football’s marquee competition.
Ramos can’t be on the pitch and make tackles, read the game, direct his teammates, or step up with a crucial goal in the penalty box. But he can help Eder Militao put in the game of his life and give some of the other young players pointers from the bench on how to be an impact sub before trying to turn the tide of the game.
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It’s always great to have a player of Ramos’ caliber and stature around, even if his impact isn’t necessarily on the pitch. Real Madrid and Ramos know they are capable of winning this game by the goal difference they need, and the captain intends on doing whatever he can. That’s what leadership looks like.