Sergio Ramos criticized the “noise” surrounding the candidacy for the Real Madrid title, saying that to speak of the referees who help La Liga leaders is “to imagine things”.
Ramos, 34, scored a free kick when Madrid beat Mallorca 2-0 on Wednesday to maintain their lead over rivals Barcelona, level 68 with a head-to-head record.
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Last week, Gerard Piqué of Barça hinted that officials were favoring Real Madrid in the title race before the team benefited from key decisions made in the victory at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
“All the noise that is being made is because we are now leaders,” Ramos told Movistar. “When we weren’t, people weren’t talking as much. Referees and VARs are here to help … I don’t think they make any predetermined decisions. The noise must stop. It’s like we’re thanking the referees for being leaders. The people I shouldn’t be imagining things. “
The Real Madrid defender is enjoying his best goal season, having found the net eight times this season in La Liga.
“Soccer is a team sport,” he said. “But on a personal level, statistics and personal challenges motivate me and make me proud. It is a reward for consistency, for many years of hard work.”
Coach Zinedine Zidane also praised Ramos’ contribution.
“I am happy with his goal,” he said. “He is our captain and our leader. He always shows us the way. He practices free throws, so scoring one is satisfying for him and us … I always tell him he has to retire here.”
Real Madrid have played four games in eleven days, winning them all since the return of La Liga. They have seven more to play on a hectic schedule before the national season ends on July 19.
“You could see the fatigue in the team today, with games every three days,” said Ramos. “The recovery time is what it is. There will only be one ‘coronavirus league’ and we want to win it, as a reward for all the effort we have made to continue playing during these months.”
“We cannot train too much,” added Zidane. “We cannot do exactly what we want. We are playing every three days. Today’s attitude was impressive. We now have seven finals left. It is true that we are noticing fatigue after so many games. But it is the same for each team, it is a situation special, with the heat too. We have to face it. “
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