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Thursday 23 April 2015

Sergio Ramos: Atletico were out to get me booked

Real Madrid ace Sergio Ramos has claimed Atletico Madrid's players were out to get him booked in Wednesday's Champions League clash at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Spain international had gone into the last-eight, second-leg showdown in the Spanish capital knowing that a yellow card would earn him a one-game suspension, thus ruling him out of the first leg of the semi-finals.


Consequently, he claims he refused to rise to any acts of provocation, particularly when Atleti defender Jose Gimenez fouled him during the second half of a game that was decided by a late goal from Javier Hernandez.

“It's just the usual on-pitch argument," Sergio Ramos is quoted as saying by his club's official website after Madrid's 1-0 aggregate win.

"They were after me because they knew a booking would result in me missing the semi-final and that I wasn't able to get involved.

"If they got me in another situation then perhaps it could have been different but it wasn't going to happen today. I didn't have any confrontations with anyone in the tunnel."

Indeed, the centre-back claimed he had kept his head throughout - unlike red-carded Atleti midfielder Arda Turan - who the 29-year-old felt could have no complaints about the second yellow card he picked up with just 14 minutes remaining and the game still scoreless.

"That was a pivotal moment because he had been booked during the first half and I think his studs were clearly showing," the World Cup winner added.

"But it was a magical night, a really taxing and intense match against a top team, the current La Liga champions and we shouldn't take anything away from them.

"Madrid put in a great performance and imposed their quality and tempo.

"Football always gives you the chance for revenge and that's nice. What better way than at home and in the quarter-finals of the Champions League.

"They're magical nights that this sport gives you the opportunity to experience. We deserved to go through."

Sergio Ramos also felt that much of the credit for Madrid's victory should go to coach Carlo Ancelotti, who had been under intense pressure going into the game yet pulled off a clever tactical ploy by moving the defender into midfield in the absence of Luka Modric.

“I would like to thank him from the bottom of my heart for the faith he showed in me for such an important game," the Spain international added.

"I always try to help the team and I like being challenged and playing in that position.
“It was a secret that was kept until the last minute. I knew about the decision since Sunday because we had a test run at Camp Nou [against Barcelona last month] that didn't go very well.

"I like coaches who are good people but, more importantly, who have personality and Ancelotti is one of them. The coach deserves praise today."

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