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Sergio Ramos hailed for key midfield role in Real Madrid victory over Atlético
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Carlo Ancelotti’s decision to deploy the defender Sergio Ramos in central midfield was the key to Real Madrid’s 1-0 Champions League victory over Atlético Madrid, according to Real’s captain, Iker Casillas.
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Ramos, who normally plays as a centre-back, was in the thick of the action throughout the quarter-final second leg before Javier Hernández struck two minutes from time to send Real through to the semi-finals for a fifth straight season.
Ramos helped Real dominate the midfield, an area in which they had struggled against Atlético in recent encounters, and it was their first win over their rivals in eight meetings since last season’s Champions League final.
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Related: Real Madrid 1-0 Atlético Madrid (Real Madrid win 1-0 on agg) | Champions League quarter-final second leg
Atlético barely had a sniff of goal, with Mario Mandzukic labouring ineffectively up front and hie fellow forward Antoine Griezmann forced into a more defensive role.
The dismissal of Atlético’s playmaker Arda Turan 14 minutes from time – for a foul on Ramos – dealt a huge blow to their chances of making the last four and Hernández’s late strike gave Real a deserved 1-0 aggregate win.
Ancelotti’s ploy with Ramos was a surprise as he had used the same tactic in Real’s La Liga 2-1 defeat at Barcelona last month and was widely criticised.
Casillas said: “That’s what the coach believed he should do and he [Ramos] played a fundamental role and we all benefited from his commitment.
“Sometimes you also have to take on board your opponents’ way of playing and we were really firm and solid in the midfield. We didn’t go backwards at any point, we defended really well and we had really clear chances in attack.”
Ramos told AS: “We’d thought about [a midfield role] before, but the credit is all Ancelotti’s. I like coaches who are decent people, but above all those that have character and are ballsy. I’m delighted he trusted me … We’ve had magical nights in the Champions League and this has been one of them.”
The match-winner, Hernández, said: “This win was for everyone – it’s for the people, the fans. As it turned out it was my turn to score but the victory is for all of us, and my goal is for all of the people who always had faith in me, my team-mates and my family. My goal is dedicated to all of them.”
Asked if he was surprised to be part of the starting lineup, Hernández said: “The boss told me a few days ago that I would be playing. He just told me to keep doing what I’ve been doing and to prepare myself.
“I have scored other important goals in my career but the ones that count are the ones I score now. Tonight’s goal will give me confidence. It was a great pass to set me up. It was our turn to win.”
Real, chasing a record-extending 11th European crown, will find out their opponents in the last four when the draw is made on Friday, with Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Juventus also through.
Casillas said: “We’re talking about four European champions, four top teams. Of the most recent semi-finals, they’re the most even. They’re going to be exciting, really special, and we’re ready to play whoever we are drawn against.”
