Ramos: Good Results Allow Madrid To Play Better

Real Madrid came from a goal down to secure a comfortable-looking 3-1 win at home against Osasuna overnight, but the match itself was anything but straightforward.

Sergio Ramos, Gonzalo Higuaín and Arjen Robben all netted after Javad Nekounam had given the resilient visitors from Pamplona an early surprise lead but as is the case with most of Madrid’s matches, controversial refereeing decisions accompanied the game.

Coach, Juande Ramos, however, reflected on the result rather than his team’s or the referee’s performances.

“Thank God we managed to score three goals and secure the three points, especially after a very poor first half,” he said during the post-match conference.

“It was definitely a game of two halves. In the first, the players felt cold and we could not match Osasuna’s intensity. They played well and controlled the game, while we simply couldn’t get the ball or keep possession and cause any danger.

“But in the second, it was quite the opposite. We were more aggressive, we changed the team a little, and slowly the goals arrived. We fought our way back into the game and in the end, we won 3-1 and that is what we were looking for: the three points,” he added.

In regards to the referee, Pérez Burull, who denied Osasuna two penalty shouts before sending off Juanfran, Juande declined to make any comments: “I prefer not to analyze the decisions of referees.

“They have a tough and complicated job to do and besides, it’s difficult to see anything clearly from the bench because we’re leveled with the playing surface,” he remarked.

Finally, the La Mancha-born coach looked forward to Los Blancos, both the club and the team, building on this victory and moving forward.

“Real Madrid have not been playing so well for the past month now, but obtaining a good result will give the team confidence, and with confidence, the team will start playing much better.

“I believe that Ramón Calderón would be very happy with this victory. In his departure [as president], the least we can do is dedicate a win to him. And the same goes for Vicente Boluda. He will be pleased to start off with a victory,” Juande concluded.

--KS Leong, Goal.com