EGP inches up against USD in early trade    Egypt, Türkiye discuss boosting bilateral tourism    Egypt reviews progress on investment climate reforms, customs overhaul    Pakistan PM says nation giving "Befitting Reply" to Indian strikes    Health Minister orders expansion of residency training programmes to strengthen medical workforce    Egypt steps up export reforms with focus on quality standards, market insights, and global expansion    Egypt's FRA warns against unlicensed financial investment schemes    Gaza faces humanitarian collapse amid escalating Israeli offensive, healthcare breakdown    CIB Egypt extends EGP 2.45bn bridge loan to SODIC for North Coast 'June' project    Al Ismaelia, Coventry University Cairo partner on urban development education    Egypt's EDA backs local vaccine industry    Oman, Algeria agree on $298m investment, energy deals    Cabinet hails WHO measles-free status as milestone in Egypt's health reforms    Egypt's Public Business Min., EHA chairman explore cooperation    Euronext supports EU defence financing with new measures    Israel expands Gaza offensive, drawing international condemnation    Egyptian FM addresses Arab Women Organization Conference opening    Egypt's Sisi praises Bohra community's restoration efforts of Islamic sites    Egypt, Saudi Arabia deepen health sector cooperation with comprehensive MoU    On Sport to broadcast Pan Arab Golf Championship for Juniors and Ladies in Egypt    Golf Festival in Cairo to mark Arab Golf Federation's 50th anniversary    Germany among EU's priciest labour markets – official data    Cabinet approves establishment of national medical tourism council to boost healthcare sector    "5,000 Years of Civilizational Dialogue" theme for Korea-Egypt 30th anniversary event    Sudan conflict, bilateral ties dominate talks between Al-Sisi, Al-Burhan in Cairo    Cairo's Madinaty and Katameya Dunes Golf Courses set to host 2025 Pan Arab Golf Championship from May 7-10    Between Women Filmmakers' Caravan opens 5th round of Film Consultancy Programme for Arab filmmakers    Egypt's PM follows up on Julius Nyerere dam project in Tanzania    Ancient military commander's tomb unearthed in Ismailia    Egypt's FM inspects Julius Nyerere Dam project in Tanzania    Egypt's FM praises ties with Tanzania    Egypt to host global celebration for Grand Egyptian Museum opening on July 3    Ancient Egyptian royal tomb unearthed in Sohag    Egyptian Minister praises Nile Basin consultations, voices GERD concerns    Paris Olympic gold '24 medals hit record value    A minute of silence for Egyptian sports    Russia says it's in sync with US, China, Pakistan on Taliban    It's a bit frustrating to draw at home: Real Madrid keeper after Villarreal game    Shoukry reviews with Guterres Egypt's efforts to achieve SDGs, promote human rights    Sudan says countries must cooperate on vaccines    Johnson & Johnson: Second shot boosts antibodies and protection against COVID-19    Egypt to tax bloggers, YouTubers    Egypt's FM asserts importance of stability in Libya, holding elections as scheduled    We mustn't lose touch: Muller after Bayern win in Bundesliga    Egypt records 36 new deaths from Covid-19, highest since mid June    Egypt sells $3 bln US-dollar dominated eurobonds    Gamal Hanafy's ceramic exhibition at Gezira Arts Centre is a must go    Italian Institute Director Davide Scalmani presents activities of the Cairo Institute for ITALIANA.IT platform    







Thank you for reporting!
This image will be automatically disabled when it gets reported by several people.



Salent-packed squad as key to Real success as Ronaldo, says Ramos
Published in Ahram Online on 03 - 05 - 2017

Cristiano Ronaldo hogged the headlines after his hat-trick against Atletico Madrid put Real Madrid on the verge of the Champions League final, although captain Sergio Ramos believes an effervescent squad was a crucial factor behind their success.
Real shook off the absence of record signing Gareth Bale and an injury to Dani Carvajal in the first half to crush Diego Simeone's usually resilient side, scoring as many goals on Tuesday as Atleti had conceded in their previous seven games.
Real's least experienced defender Nacho Fernandez was called on to deputise for Carvajal in the unfamiliar right-back role while the display of Isco was viewed by many in the Spanish media as an upgrade on Bale, and 21-year-old Marco Asensio caused Atleti numerous problems down the left when he came on.
"The squad is the key to our success, having substitutes that always make their presence felt and play as well as those of us who play more often," Ramos told reporters. "This is the path we need to follow, where everyone is committed and ready to do their part. It's difficult at Madrid to keep everyone happy because everyone is so good but those demands and the level of competition makes everyone eager to play and make the difference."
Barring a remarkable turnaround in next Wednesday's semi-final second leg at the Vicente Calderon, Real will reach a third Champions League final in four years, while they are on course to win a first domestic league title since 2012.
"It was one of those games where everything went well, it was an impeccable performance," said Ramos.
"We kept a clean sheet and as well as Cristiano's goals, which will grab the front pages, you have to highlight the mentality of the group, our efforts, our willingness to press Atletico high in their own half."
Atletico also had injury problems going into the game and were missing both of their right backs in Juanfran and Sime Vrsaljko as well as Jose Gimenez.
Yet Simeone's side looked flustered, while there was a remarkable freshness to Madrid, which Ramos said was down to Zinedine Zidane's rotation policy.
The Frenchman, who is on track to become the first coach to successfully defend the European Cup since AC Milan's Arrigo Sacchi in 1990, has carefully managed his squad throughout the season.
No-one has been exempt from sitting out the occasional game, even Ronaldo, who has started 26 of 34 league fixtures, and resting the prolific Portuguese paid dividends as he added to his treble against Bayern Munich in the quarter-final second leg with another hat-trick.
"Zidane has been very intelligent in managing the minutes everyone plays," added Ramos.
"The players who normally play the most are arriving at the most important moments of the season feeling fresher and more focused."
(For more sports news and updates, follow Ahram Online Sports on Twitter at @AO_Sports and on Facebook at AhramOnlineSports.)


Clic here to read the story from its source.