Sergio Ramos: “Our team has not changed, we lost but we played well”

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos talked to the media in the pre-match press conference ahead of Wednesday’s clash against Manchester City in the Champions League’s Round of 16. Ramos discussed the team’s last two games in La Liga, where Madrid dropped points against Celta de Vigo and Levante to lose the lead in the table.

“In the end, football is all about the final score. Our team has not changed, we lost a game but we played well. We did many things well but weren’t accurate in front of the goal, and that costs you in football. We now have a chance to make a statement in the Champions League and El Clasico, we don’t have time to dwell and we are working with joy and excitement,” said Ramos.

The captain also explained that Madrid’s last results won’t matter against City.

“It doesn’t make any difference. Sometimes in the Champions league you’re in bad form and then you play a great game. Our head and mood is in the right place and we will try to prove it in the field of play,” he said.

Real Madrid lacked scoring punch against Levante but Ramos believes that the team has enough firepower.

“It’s not that we didn’t create chances, we lacked a goal but it’s easy to talk about that now, there’s still a long season ahead of us and the team is doing plenty of things the right way,” explained Ramos.

The defender said that the Champions League is a special competition for Madrid.

“For us, this is a special competition. To hear the anthem gives us motivation. We have great history in the Champions League and that doesn’t happen by chance,” he added.

Ramos also talked about his contract. His current deal expires in 2021 and both parties have not reached an agreement yet.

“This has been talked about for the last few weeks and my relationship with the club is in a very good moment, so there’s no hurry, we’ll reach an agreement. I understand that the club offers one-year deals when we’re at a certain age. It seems to me that some reports want to create some kind of tension between the club and Ramos but it’s not going to happen,” concluded the captain.