Huge task awaits Atletico
Madrid, May 9: Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos insists the European champions will not be cowered by an intimidating atmosphere as they visit Atletico Madrid’s Vicente Calderon for the final time on Wednesday.
Los Blancos are looking to seal their place in the Champions League final once more and enjoy a commanding 3-0 first leg lead. And Ramos hit back at the simplification of the rivalry between the two Madrid giants as Real’s riches against Atletico’s hard work.
“It seems like here we have grown up in Beverly Hills. Here there are people from humble backgrounds too. The sacrifice is what fills you with desire to win,” said Ramos on Tuesday.
An already intense rivalry has reached new levels in recent seasons as under Diego Simeone Atletico’s status and ability to challenge Real has grown.
However, the red and white side of Madrid has consistently fallen short against Real in the Champions League.
Unless they pull off a remarkable comeback, Atletico will bow out of European competition against their fiercest rivals for the fourth consecutive season.
“We know playing at home is always a plus for us. We have to give everything and make sure the fans go home proud of their players whether we go through or not,” said Atletico midfielder Saul Niguez.
However, the size of Atletico’s task is illustrated by the fact that Real have scored in all of their last 60 games stretching back over a year.
“We can’t go crazy,” added Saul.
“We know it is very difficult, but we need to go stepby-step, we need to keep a clean sheet. If they score the tie is even more difficult, but a goal in the firsthalf would give us a lot of strength and could make them nervous.”
Even by their standards Real are on the verge of completing the most glorious season in the club’s decorated history.
Zinedine Zidane’s men are three games away from a first league title in five years and, should they complete a La Liga and Champions League double, it will be Real’s first since 1957/58. Moreover, they could become the first side in the Champions League era to retain the trophy.
And Ramos insisted he is relishing a challenging end to the campaign rather than wilting under the pressure.
“There is no feeling of vertigo. The contrary, it is in our own hands,” added the Spanish international.
“The good part of the season is coming, there are two weeks left and we’ll see what happens in the end. I would settle to be in this position every year.”