Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos has angrily reacted to subtle criticisms directed his way by manager Rafa Benitez for conceding a penalty against bitter city rivals, Atletico Madrid on Sunday.
Ramos had conceded a penalty in the first half of the game but luckily for him the Atletico attacker saddled with the responsibility of converting it, Antoine de Griezmann, kicked the ball right into goalkeeper Keylor Navas’ hands.
The manager in a radio interview criticised Ramos for the error that led to the penalty, but Ramos will have none of it.
In an interview on Tuesday, Ramos said: “I’d hope that anything he (Benitez) has to say he will say when we next see each other.”
The defender who said he regretted the mistake, however questioned the manager’s substitutions in taking off midfielder Isco and striker Benzema when Real were leading with one goal, effectively setting up Atletico’s come-back.
He said: “It was a disappointing mistake, but I won’t lose any sleep over it. I’m not worried about it because we all make mistakes and nobody makes them on purpose.
“Thankfully Keylor [Navas] saved the penalty and it didn’t influence the final result. But just as people talk about the mistake I made, they will also talk about [Benitez’s] substitutions.”