The Real Madrid defender has suffered more lapses in concentration than usual this season and his current form is a concern for coach Zinedine Zidane
At his best, he is one of the world's finest defenders. At his worst, however, he can be a liability. And unfortunately for Real Madrid, it is the latter version of Sergio Ramos that has been in evidence the most in recent weeks.
Mor thanks Ronaldo for being his motivation
Ramos is the only player to have featured in every single minute of each Madrid match this season. With nine appearances and 840 minutes in total, the Spain skipper is an ever-present for coach Zinedine Zidane in 2016-17. But his performances have been below his usual high standards.
The 30-year-old was the hero for Real in the UEFA Super Cup as he headed home in the dying seconds to force extra time against Sevilla in Trondheim and Los Blancos ultimately went on to lift the trophy,
Before that, however, he had given away a penalty and that was the first of three spot-kicks he has conceded this term. Another came in the 5-2 win over Osasuna at the Santiago Bernabeu, the third one in the recent 1-1 draw at home to Villarreal. Curiously, he also scored in both of those games.
His handball against Villarreal was identical to the one he had got away with in the 2-0 win at Espanyol the previous weekend. Then, Ramos fooled the referee into believing the ball had hit him in the face, thereby escaping a red card as he had already been booked.
Dortmund draw difficult to accept - Zidane
With 21 dismissals in his Madrid career, Ramos has been sent off more than any player in the club's entire history and he was fortunate to avoid increasing that sorry stat at Cornella. Against Villarreal, he also attempted to hide his misdemeanour by holding his face, but this time it did not work and Real dropped their first points of the season.
Then came the 2-2 draw at Las Palmas and again Ramos was fortunate to get away with a handball and a yellow card, which would have seen him suspended for Sunday's game against Eibar, with David Garcia booked instead for protesting.
Madrid looked to have that match under control, but conceded with five minutes left and the same thing happened in the 2-2 draw at Borussia Dortmund in the Champions League on Tuesday night. In that match, goalkeeper Keylor Navas was at fault for the Germans' equaliser, but Ramos had given away the free-kick needlessly after losing the ball. It was another costly mistake.
It is difficult to explain Ramos' recent problems. Perhaps he has been less comfortable alongside Raphael Varane than with preferred partner Pepe, the Frenchman starting seven out of the nine matches in all competitions for Los Blancos this season.
Madrid paying the price for Casemiro injury
Meanwhile, Madrid's blip over the past few games - consecutive draws against Villarreal, Las Palmas and Dortmund - has come since the injury suffered by Casemiro at Espanyol. The Brazilian's absence has undoubtedly put pressure on the back line - but that is not really an excuse either.
With Pepe available, Zidane may well decide to rest Ramos against Eibar on Sunday and the Frenchman will hope his captain is back to his best sooner rather than later. Because on his current form, Madrid will only drop even more points in the weeks and months ahead.
Source: Goal.com
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