ABU DHABI • Real Madrid will bid to win their third straight Fifa Club World Cup when they take on Asian champions Kashima Antlers in the semi-finals at the United Arab Emirates' Zayed Sports City Stadium today.
The key difference from their previous three triumphs in 2014, 2016 and last year is that they will have to cope without the effervescent Cristiano Ronaldo.
The Portuguese forward, who joined Juventus in the summer, scored the winner in last year's final against Brazilian side Gremio.
He was also the star in the 2016 final against Kashima, netting a hat-trick in the 4-2 extra-time victory.
The Spanish giants have struggled without him this season, and have also sacked Julen Lopetegui in October and replaced him with current manager Santiago Solari.
The new man at the helm is also under pressure after Real were stunned 3-0 by Russian side CSKA Moscow in the Champions League last week - their biggest home defeat in Europe.
But Real captain Sergio Ramos is confident that his side can still win their fourth Club World Cup title without their former talisman.
"I think on the pitch, there won't be much difference (to previous years), despite the absence of Cristiano Ronaldo, who was a key player for us. We're going to compete with the club's same philosophy as always: to win," he said.
"We have good memories in this competition because we've had success in the past. It's a short competition and there's no room for mistakes. There's a semi-final and then the final... And we want to take the Cup home to Madrid."
If Real beat the Asian Football Confederation Champions League winners, they will face either South American champions River Plate or UAE side Al-Ain in Saturday's final. The two sides played the first semi-final early this morning (Singapore time).
Kashima are determined to make amends for their heartbreaking extra-time loss to Real on home soil two years ago.
"Last time in Japan, in the 2016 final, we made a great impact on a lot of people," said Kashima manager Go Oiwa, who was assistant to Masatada Ishii in the 2016 final.
"Against Madrid we really wanted to win, that's how we thought. Yes we lost, it was disappointing, but we now have a stage to show our disappointment.
"This match is going to get a lot of attention. We will try to play aggressively and show our own game from the beginning against Real.
"That's how we feel as we try to take the challenge to Real."
The Real Madrid defender believes the team is bigger than the now Juventus forward, and his departure will not stop them from getting new trophies. In an article published by Sportskeeda, Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has said that even without Cristiano Ronaldo, the team will keep on winning. "You had to dig a little deeper.
Even Without Ronaldo, Real Madrid Remain - deadspin.com
Ramos: Real the same even without Ronaldo - gulfnews.com
Sergio Ramos concedes that Cristiano Ronaldo was "very decisive" for Real Madrid, but insists "winning is always the objective" even with Real's only objective with or without Ronaldo.
New Real Madrid tested in Champions League without Ronaldo
Real Madrid have lost Cristiano Ronaldo's goals but gained renewed desire - Sergio Ramos is one of many desperate to prove they don't need him to win Champions League again
New Real Madrid tested in Champions League without Ronaldo. The Real Madrid team that will begin its Champions League campaign against Roma on I expect an opponent that is even better than
Sergio Ramos Claims Real Madrid Are Not Much Different
Sergio Ramos does not believe that fans watching Real Madrid at the Club World Cup will see a much different side from the one which won the tournament last year, despite the absence of Cristiano
Ramos and Real Madrid are desperate to prove they don't need
Sergio Ramos concedes that Cristiano Ronaldo was "very decisive" for Real Madrid, but insists "winning is always the objective" even with a talismanic presence having departed the club.
Ramos: Winning is Real's only objective with or without Ronaldo
We're the same team even without Zizou, CR7, says Ramos In what was a week of misery for Real Madrid, the Sergio Ramos-led side were humiliated by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at home
Even without Ronaldo, Madrid will not stop winning, says
Real captain Sergio Ramos put it This is what makes Real Madrid so great, and still, even without Ronaldo and in the midst of a bad season, so formidable in their favorite competition
Ramos: Winning is Real's only objective with or without Ronaldo
Ramos: Real the same even without Ronaldo. Winning mentality remains but won't take anything for granted, captain says. Real Madrid team warming up before a practice session.
Real the same team even without Ronaldo: Ramos, Football News
Real the same team even without Ronaldo: Ramos. Real Madrid midfielder Luka Modric (right) and defender Sergio Ramos in training before today's Club World Cup semi-final clash with J-League side
We're the same team even without Zizou, CR7, says Ramos
0 comments:
Post a Comment