Real Madrid will step up in absence of Ramos: Varane

Raphael Varane expects all Real Madrid players to act as leaders in the absence of Sergio Ramos against Manchester City. Real Madrid travel to the Etihad Stadium for the second leg of their UCL’s last-16 tie against City on 8^th August. The Los Blancos have a 2-1 deficit to overturn in order to qualify for the competition’s quarter finals.

Gabriel Jesus and Kevin De Bruyne ,helped city establish a 2-1 lead over Real Madrid in the first leg of last 16 in February. Sergio Ramos received a red card in that match , which makes him unavailable for the second leg.

Varane on Sergio Ramos‘s absence

On Ramos’s absence Varane commented, “I think Sergio is a very important player for us. But we know that we are a group where we all have our role. For example, I always help my team-mates, it is my way of playing and I like to cover others. In the locker room I talk a lot with my team-mates about the tactic, that will never change. To win the Champions League we have to be a strong group. With many leaders, we know the importance of Sergio. But we all have to play a great game to qualify.”

Real go into second leg after recently securing the LaLiga title. The Los Blancos were on a 11 match unbeaten run, which included 10 straight wins. Real Madrid last lost a match in March against Real Betis. Since then the White Saints have picked themselves up really well.

Varane on Real’s preparation for the tie

Varane added, “I think we are doing well, we have made a very good streak to win La Liga. We are all doing very well physically. It has been a different preparation and a little strange, comparing it with what we are used to. We have had many days to prepare this final. We have done it as always with a lot of concentration. Working on all aspects of our game trying to improve all the time. We arrived with confidence for the latest results and with more rest compared to if it had been played in March. I hope we are well prepared to win tomorrow.”

If Real Madrid mange to qualify for the quarterfinals they will face Juventus or Lyon further on in the competition.

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