Ramos KO real kick in the Balkans for Enrique
SPAIN will look to rediscover their form when they face Balkan opposition for the second time in four days – but they will have to do it without Sergio Ramos.
Their Nations League defeat by Croatia in Zagreb on Thursday means their future in the competition is out of their hands as they take on Bosnia-Herzegovina in a friendly in Las Palmas today.
Luis Enrique’s Spain have suffered back-to-back defeats for the first time since Euro
2016 – the other by England – and have conceded in six of their last seven matches.
Captain Sergio Ramos, 32, has a thigh injury.
The central defender has been dealing with the problem for several weeks but has been a key part of the Real Madrid backline due to several key absences.
Ramos was mocked by Liverpool’s Croatia defender Dejan Lovren in midweek and Virgil van Dijk has become the latest Kop star to have a pop – telling the hatchet man that he isn’t even the best centre-back at Real Madrid.
Van Dijk reckons Ramos relies too heavily on dirty tricks and the Dutchman believes the four-time Champions League winner is a poor second at the Bernabeu to Raphael Varane.
He said: “Ramos is a great player and I respect what he has achieved – but he is not the best.
“He is not my type of central defender. Personally I would not defend like Ramos.
“I try to avoid the kind of situations in which he excels and I don’t even try to make sliding tackles.
“Ramos’ team-mate Varane is my favourite. He is an excellent defender and has already won a lot.”
Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp and several of his players have taken verbal swipes at Ramos in the six months since Real inflicted a
3-1 Champions League Final defeat on them in Kiev.
They still blame the streetwise stopper for inflicting a shoulder injury on Mo Salah that forced him off in the first half.
Klopp, Roberto Firmino and Salah himself have all pointed accusing fingers at the Spaniard.
Van Dijk added: “I do not know if it was deliberate but mentally something changed when Mo came off.
“Suddenly Marcelo, Karim Benzema and Cristiano Ronaldo all appeared at Trent Alexander-Arnold and released the entire right side. Before they never dared to do that.
“The match could have been different. I hope to be in the final again – and on the right side of the score.”
Cesar Azpilicueta could replace Ramos today.