Sergio Ramos admits Real Madrid will be “playing for our season” when they face Paris Saint-Germain on Wednesday.
Madrid’s preparations for the Champions League last-16 tie began with a 5-2 victory over Real Sociedad on Saturday, but Ramos admitted his side dropped off in the second half, with PSG in mind.
“Tonight, from the first minute, the team went out to play football, keep the ball, press their opponents to win the ball high up the pitch, and there was a big difference,” he said after the game.
“From that, we were more clinical in front of goal. Did we drop off in the second half? I’d be lying to you if I said that we weren’t thinking about PSG.
“We’re playing for our season. We could’ve kept going [against La Real], but we couldn’t maintain that rate for 90 minutes.
“We knew how to manage ourselves. The objective was to gain confidence and we did that.
“PSG? This is what any team would want. Football is based on intensity and attitude, leaving the pitch empty. Sometimes you don’t, but that’s the intention.
“Ronaldo’s return to form? We were clinical in front of goal tonight. Benzema whistles? We’ve never been anything without the fans.
“We need them more than ever against PSG. We’ll put the whistles to one side.”
