Real Madrid need little less than a miracle in Manchester, on August 7, in the second leg of the Champions League round of 16: he must go around the 1-2 at the Bernabéu against a City that is a goal-scoring machine (102 in the Premier, 17 more than Liverpool champion) and without Sergio Ramos, the head of his defense and the spiritual leader of the recently proclaimed league champion. The captain, who saw the red card in the first leg, knows that he will not be able to play in Etihad, but that has not taken away his faith that Madrid can go back and go to quarters, where he could already dress short, at least , once again this season.
Red against City
Ramos closed a terrible game for Madrid, which started well, with Isco's goal, but ended in disaster: Gabriel Jesús tied (Ramos claimed to have been pushed by the striker on goal), then De Bruyne made a penalty in the second after a clear foul by Carvajal on Sterling inside the area and, near the end, the captain knocked down Gabriel Jesús when he went alone to Courtois, on the edge of the area; He avoided the penalty, but could not save the direct red that leaves him out of the duel on August 7. Varane and Militao will be Zidane's centrals in Manchester.
Ramos knows well how complicated the task ahead of Madrid is, but also that the Champions League is the tournament in which, historically, Madrid has always been the most comfortable. It is their natural habitat, a fertile territory for the comebacks. And if in the end it happens, Ramos wants to be prepared. While most of the colleagues have gone on vacation to different places far from the capital (Ibiza, Mallorca, Catalonia …)Ramos took advantage of the week to work in the gym that he has at home. He is back in top form, despite being aware that his season may well be over.
Father for the fourth time
Ramos has remained in Madrid before his imminent paternity, which was consummated last Sunday with the birth of his fourth son, Máximo Adriano. During the week, the Madrid captain only left the capital for a little more than a day to go to his farm in Seville, where he took with him a replica of the newly conquered League to decorate the headquarters of the Yeguada SR4. Already back to training, the Camaros will not lift his foot from the accelerator in the hope that Madrid will pass the Manchester test and I have something to say in this Champions League.