Spain drew (1-1) against Italy in the second game in the qualifying stage for the Russian World Cup. Vitolo opened the scored after Buffon’s big mistake and De Rossi equalized from the penalty spot. The penalty was committed again by the Real Madrid defender Sergio Ramos, who is being heavily criticized by the Spanish supporters.
Sergio Ramos is not playing at his best lately with Spain. The defender, for instance, missed a penalty in the Euro against Croatia. Spain finally lost this game and finished second in the group stage so they had to face Italy in the Last 16 round. Besides, Ramos didn’t play again a good match against Italy in the Euro.
Spain played a great game in Torino but Sergio Ramos committed a penalty in the last minutes. The referee hesitated but finally decided to concede the penalty and De Rossi didn’t miss. Spain didn’t take the opportunity to win the three points in Italy in a very important game for both teams.
Some part of the journalists and the supporters criticized Sergio Ramos, who has been committed too many penalties in the last games. Playing with Real Madrid, the referee didn’t see a handball against Espanyol. Only three days later, against Villarreal, Ramos again committed penalty for a handball. This time the referee did see the play. Now, with Spain, Sergio Ramos again made a mistake and Spain lost points.
Sergio Ramos didn’t hide after the game and spoke with the press about his mistakes: “Everybody can make mistakes, even Buffon who is a flagship for Italy, but here they applaud and in Spain they whistle, it’s the big difference. We have envy and here you can see admiration in every step. People who criticize me can enjoy themselves now because they will shut up a lot of years”, Sergio Ramos said in the Juventus Stadium.
Ramos is too rash in his play,not considering his actions on the pitch. Wayward back passes to the keeper,unnecessary long passes to nowhere,unnecessary tackles in critical arras of the pitch. These are all areas he needs to work on.