REAL MADRID DEFENDER Sergio Ramos set a new record for red cards in La Liga after receiving his marching orders for the 19th time in his side’s 0-0 draw with Athletic Bilbao on Saturday.
The 31-year-old was shown a second yellow for leading with the elbow on Aritz Aduriz in the 86th minute at San Mames.
Ramos’ dismissal – his second of the campaign - took him clear of former Barcelona and Sevilla defender Pablo Alfaro and Real Zaragoza legend Xavi Aguado.
The defender wore a face mask throughout Saturday’s match in what was his return from a broken nose suffered against rivals Atletico Madrid two weeks ago.
But the late sending off compounded a frustrating result for Zinedine Zidane’s side as they missed a chance to close to within six points of leaders Barcelona.
Head coach Zinedine Zidane said he was disappointed for his players but remains satisfied with their efforts following the stalemate.
Victory would have seen Los Blancos close the gap to Barcelona back to six points after the leaders dropped points against Celta Vigo, but the champions were unable to find the all-important goal against a side which is now winless in six league matches.
Cristiano Ronaldo, Toni Kroos and Karim Benzema could all have done better with first-half chances as Madrid’s scoring troubles came to the fore once again.
It was the third time they have been held scoreless in this La Liga campaign and a worrying trend which has left them fourth in the table, still eight points shy of pace-setters Barca.
“I am very happy with the performance and very disappointed not to score, but mostly I’m feeling disappointed for the players, as they gave everything,” Zidane told Movistar.
“We deserved more and in the end we did not get the goal that would have given us three points.
“My job is to make sure we are positive and playing so that the goals will come. I am not concerned, but I am disappointed for the players.”
Madrid’s underwhelming evening was compounded by the late dismissal of Ramos for a second yellow after he appeared to catch Aritz Aduriz with an elbow.
It means he will join Casemiro and Dani Carvajal on the sidelines for next weekend’s visit of Sevilla after they both picked up their fifth yellows of the campaign.
“Ramos is not happy because he thinks it was not worthy of a card, but that is how it is and we cannot change it now,” Zidane said.
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Bulls*%#. Should have taken control of the situation. If your not going to control the situation as custodians of the game what are you going?? Be as well rip up the rule book and quit.
@Stephen Drake: I guess you’re one of the people that just doesn’t get it, that Ryan is referring to, Stevo! And it’s okay, albeit a pity, that you don’t get it, he said!
I suppose it makes sense that the amateur sport has an amateur leadership.
It’s still not sorted. When is the replay fixed for? Until it’s played it’s still an Issue.
@John Smith: will never be played
Extraordinary incompetence from an organisation that has so much buy in across our nation! It’s time the GAA answered some hard questioning.
Ah, the same old rhetoric from the top man in there GAA . He didn’t w to undermine the CCCC ,– he didn’t have to,– if the CCCC is the body within the GAA that it was up to the Members to initiate an enquiry straight away,– that evening. He need not try to hide behind a sub committee, — I’m sure there was a discussion in Croke Park that evening,- no point in saying there wasn’t. A shower of gutless watery individuals who could not make a decision , just as in 2010. after Leinster Final. Will ye go and Man up and deal with crisis when it happens .
Day 1 , replay . Sounding like the Tories .
Hounds gaa come down to. Cork ll make sure ya get free deal tramp that promoter hearn up the Irish forever
@Mark Murphy: wtf
@rhino burns: a very sensible comment from Murph there rhino! I hope hounds gaa come down to as well!