Ramos still crucial feels Arbeloa

Sergio Ramos is still a key part of Jose Mourinho’s first-team squad at Real Madrid believes fellow defender Alvaro Arbeloa.

Ramos was surprisingly left out of Mourinho’s starting line-up for the 3-2 Champions League defeat of Manchester City, yet Arbeloa attempted to play down the decision whilst describing the Spanish international as ‘the best central defender in the world’.

“Sergio is the best, or one of the best, centre-backs in the world. He was left on the bench, as were Mesut Ozil, Karim Benzema and Kaka, but I think he will still be crucial to us,” Arbeloa told a Press conference.

“We knew we had not been playing well and it didn’t need the Coach to tell us, because we thought the same as him.

“He’s known us very well for almost three years and there is no roughness to iron out. We have a good relationship with him and agree with everything he has said.”

The 31-year-old went on to praise Madrid’s spirit in coming back from 2-1 down to claim victory over Roberto Mancini’s men.

“It was very important for the manner in which we did it and the rivals we were facing. The crowd at the Bernabeu helped us a lot because their second goal was a blow.

“City are great team but I think we are better. They scored two but we had control of the game at all times,” he added.

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