Sergio Ramos Set To Face Bernabéu Fire

Heavily criticised Real Madrid right-back Sergio Ramos will attempt to win back his fans when he takes to the pitch at the Bernabéu for the first time since his controversial outburst.

Sergio Ramos has struggled for form ever since Euro 2008, and he did himself no favours several weeks ago when he criticised Real Madrid’s style of football and promptly got himself dropped against Athletic Bilbao.

That was the last match los Merengues played at home and it was a game where the 22-year-old was whistled by the fans whenever he emerged from the bench to warm up on the touchline.

The Andalucian-born defender’s stock plunged again at the weekend when his error at the back led to Almería’s equalising goal in the Primera División clash. And tonight, the youngster’s character and resolve will be put to the ultimate test when he returns to the Bernabéu turf to take on Juventus in the Champions League in front of a hungry, unforgiving crowd.

While the fans may take some convincing before they forgive him, the players in the dressing room have already absolved the player. Knowing how crucial he is to the team, the squad desperately want him to regain his confidence and his form.

Coach Bernd Schuster has thrown his full support behind Ramos, while Fabio Cannavaro has defended his team-mate's performance at the weekend against Almería. And, during Tuesday’s press conference for the Juve clash, deputy captain Iker Casillas also gave encouragement to the ex-Sevilla man.

Casillas said, “He has already apologised to us. He is a great player… one in a million. But sometimes, even the great figures can make mistakes. What’s important is that he knows how to rectify it and now he wishes to make things right, as we all do.”

Players at Madrid have often revealed how they are driven out of the club because of the fickle-minded and demanding fans, and Sergio Ramos’ still-unclear future could be influenced by how the Bernabéu faithful treat him in tonight’s mammoth match-up.