Sergio Ramos
Sergio Ramos is labelling Real Madrid‘s La Liga title hopes as good as ever if they emerge with anything other than a win from the Christmas Clasico against Barcelona on Saturday.
Real return to domestic action after their Club World Cup win having dropped to fourth in La Liga and a defeat at the Bernabeu would put them a huge 14 points behind leaders Barca.
Captain Ramos says winning their biggest game of the season is now an ‘obligation’ for Real if they are to have any hope of fighting to retain their title in the New Year.
‘It will be a great match,’ the centre back told MARCA. ‘There are no words to describe the Clasico. It is totally different, and the most important game in the world.
‘We are obliged to win now more than ever due to the situation we find ourselves in, in order to remain in the fight for La Liga.’
Real beat Brazilian club Gremio in Abu Dhabi on Saturday to be crowned world champions for a second year running, boosting confidence ahead of the Clasico.
Cristiano Ronaldo got the winner, while Gareth Bale made an impressive return from injury to further raise Real’s hopes.