- BT Sport pundits slammed Real Madrid’s defensive display against Juventus
- They led 3-0 on aggregate but surrendered that lead with ease at the Bernabeu
- Cristiano Ronaldo scored a late penalty to send them through to the semi-finals
BT Sport pundits have slammed Real Madrid’s defensive ability without captain Sergio Ramos after they were on the brink of being eliminated from the Champions League on Wednesday night.
Los Blancos led Juventus 3-0 on aggregate going into their quarter-final second leg but a brace from Mario Mandzukic and a second half strike from Blaise Matuidi almost sent the tie into extra time.
Real were awarded a penalty that was converted by Cristiano Ronaldo in the 98th minute to send the Spaniards through to the semi-finals.
Sergio Ramos was unavailable for the second leg after being booked in Turin last week
When Real’s hopes of reaching the semi-finals seemed slim, Ramos went to the touchline
The Spanish defender barked instructions at his team-mates in the closing stages
Real captain and stalwart defender Ramos was unavailable for the second leg after he received a yellow card in Turin last week that ruled him out.
Cameras panned to him watching on from the stands in the first-half before he marched down to the touchline to cheer his colleagues on when things looked precarious late on.
Speaking after the match, BT Sport analyst Steven Gerrard claimed Real are not the same side without the Spaniard among their ranks and highlighted a key vulnerability in their back line.
‘With Ramos out they were all over the place defensively,’ the former Liverpool player said.
‘They certainly came flying out the blocks and a weakness in Madrid’s team is height at the back post and Juventus kept loading the box.’
BT Sport pundits have slammed Real Madrid’s defensive ability after their clash with Juventus
Rio Ferdinand and Michael Owen also criticised Real’s defensive display and insisted Liverpool will not fear playing against them in the final four.
‘They give their fans something to sweat over,’ said Ferdinand. ‘Lethargic is a key word for how Madrid approached this game – in chill mode at testimonial pace.
‘They didn’t get up to test people. Douglas Costa was a threat all night and I don’t think they defend crosses well. If Liverpool are sitting there watching this game they’ll fancy their chances.’
Owen added: ‘A lot of Juve’s good stuff came on this right side. Marcelo seems lax when it comes to stopping corners like it’s not important. Carjaval is outsized.’
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