Real Madrid manager Julen Lopetegui has indicated that captain Sergio Ramos has only been rested for the midweek Champions League clash at CSKA Moscow. The Spain international has been ever-present for Los Blancos since the season began but Lopetegui has chosen to rest him for the Moscow trip amid concerns that he has been overused during the opening phase of the campaign.
Speaking to reporters, Lopetegui said: “Ramos hasn’t travelled because he has played about 120 minutes more than his team-mates. We’re looking at this as a marathon, the whole season, the bigger picture. Another player can come in and play his position. That’s my job – to sit in this seat and make these kinds of decisions.”
Read More →
Speaking during his unveiling, Diaz acknowledged that Lopetegui had played a key role in luring him back to the Bernabeu and he is now hopeful of making an impact with the European champions, he said: “Julen called me and told me he would be happy if I came back. A great part of it was when he told me was counting on me.I want to give the maximum for the team and my teammates and hopefully we can win the maximum number of titles.”