Ramos set for Real reunion as Sevilla start new era
BARCELONA: Sergio Ramos has not played against Real Madrid since 2005 but on Saturday, his Sevilla team welcome the Spanish league leaders to the Sanchez-pizjuan for a reunion.
New Sevilla coach Diego Alonso faces a stern test in his first game at the helm and in experienced veteran centre-back Ramos he has a player who can offer plenty of insight into Carlo Anceloti’s Madrid side.
Ramos controversially let Seville for the Spanish capital at the age of 19, which some fans have never forgoten, even though the majority welcomed him back with open arms this summer.
“We believe that the mere proposal of this signing was already a lack of respect for the values that have made us great... and for the thousands of Sevilla fans who have suffered the scorn of this player in the past,” wrote Sevilla ultras group Biris Norte in an open leter.
In the years ater his departure, Ramos was keen to goad his former side, while he was roundly booed on visits to face Seville.
However, the defender said he could “die happy” ater playing for his boyhood club again, and has impressed since returning even though the team was struggling under Jose Luis Mendilibar.
One sour note was his own goal against old rivals Barcelona, handing the champions a 1-0 win at the Catalan club’s temporary Olympic Stadium home at the end of September.
Ramos will hope his first clash with Real Madrid goes beter, although it promises to be an emotional affair for him.
He let Madrid for French side Paris Saintgermain in 2021 but was injured when the sides met in the Champions League in March 2022.
The last time Ramos faced Madrid was for Sevilla in May 2005, and he scored in a 2-2 draw, hammering home a long-range drive ater a free-kick was laid off to him. Ramos has never lost a game against Real Madrid — the other time he faced them Sevilla won 1-0 at the Santiago Bernabeu. Madrid will want to keep, or even extend, their three point advantage over Barcelona ahead of the Clasico on October 28.
Spanish League fixtures
On Friday: Osasuna vs Granada (1900) On Saturday: Real Sociedad vs Real Mallorca (1200), Getafe vs Real Betis (1415), Sevilla vs Real Madrid (1630), Celta Vigo vs Atletico Madrid (1900) On Sunday: Las Palmas vs Rayo Vallecano (1200), Girona vs Almeria (1415), Villarreal vs Alaves (1630), Barcelona vs Athletic Bilbao (1900)