SERGIO RAMOS: “WE HAVE TO MOVE ON QUICKLY”

Sergio Ramos and Nemanja Gudelj gave their take on a painful defeat and European elimination at RC Lens. Ramos began by recognising the positives despite the undesired end result: "We put in a top performance, an excellent first half in a hostile atmosphere and facing many injury problems, which are of course no excuse. We at least have the satisfaction of having left everything out there on the pitch." The academy product proceeded to highlight the need for greater precision when it comes to converting chances: "We weren't able to put our opportunities away in the first period and then in the second Adrià [Pedrosa] also hit the crossbar. Even when we went behind we grabbed the initiative and got the equaliser but then, when we were going all out to win the game, they struck a killer blow on the counter. We can't be happy or content because we lost, so we understand the disappointment of the fanbase." At the same time, Gudelj offered his thoughts on his side's performance: "I'm very proud of the team, the way we've put our heart and soul into the match. Once again, it wasn't to be. We don't deserve these results.  We've been playing really well recently, but it feels like everything is going against us. We have to keep putting in this sort of performance." 

In addition to expressing their satisfaction with the level of performance if not the result, the defensive pair addressed the referee's controversial decision to award Lens a second-half penalty. Ramos labelled it "a scandalous penalty. We're not one to cling to refereeing excuses, but after watching the replay it's clearly the wrong decision. I've always been an advocate of VAR, technology is there to help, referees should be able to review decisions as important as that penalty. We were asking for that, for him to review it, and having now seen the images, we're left in disbelief at the decision." Gudelj, for his part, pointed out how his team were on the wrong end of what was, "once again, another dubious penalty." 

Finally, the Serbian centre-back was keen to set his sights on Saturday's league match against Getafe CF at the Ramón Sánchez-Pizjuán: "It has to be the day when the dynamic changes and a result we can build on". Ramos also stressed the need to overcome the latest emotional blow: "There is no time for regret, the attitude has been full of fight and dedication and all the rest is just part of this sport. Let's move on and turn the page quickly."