Spain defender backs Real to progress against United.
Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos says Los Blancos are in a confident mood ahead of their trip to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Tuesday night.
The Spanish champions have just recorded back-to-back victories over arch-rivals Barcelona, the first a 3-1 win in the Copa del Rey semi-final second leg at Camp Nou last Tuesday, followed by a 2-1 victory in La Liga at the Santiago Bernabeu on Saturday afternoon, a match in which the World Cup winner himself headed home the decisive goal with just eight minutes remaining.
And the 26-year-old feels the two morale-boosting displays will serve his side well going into their showdown with runaway Premier League leaders Manchester United on Tuesday.
“Psychologically the team has strengthened after the Clasicos and we go to Manchester convinced we can go through. We know we can go through,” Ramos is quoted as saying in the Daily Mail.
“We still have such a long way to go but the desire is to eliminate United at Old Trafford. But we will go to Manchester showing great respect to our opponent.
“What is true is that the squad is going through a brilliant moment of form. Earlier this season we conceded many goals from set-pieces and now it’s the others who do that.
“Now we have a game of huge importance in Manchester and we are going to try to take advantage from these last few results and hope it goes the same way.”
Ramos also feels that Jose Mourinho’s side will be better prepared for the return leg against United following their first encounter with Sir Alex Ferguson’s men, a 1-1 draw in the Spanish capital, with the centre-back claiming that Madrid will now be all the better for that having played the Red Devils once before.
“Both Barcelona and Manchester are two of the greatest teams in the world. The more you play against a great team, the more you learn their virtues and you find it easier to beat them,” said Ramos.
“Maybe we will have to wait and see the team they put out and how they plan to play the game.”
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