- Title: Real Madrid gear up for Roma test, Ramos swipes at Griezmann
- Date: 18th September 2018
- Summary: MADRID, SPAIN (SEPTEMBER 18, 2018) (REUTERS) REAL MADRID PLAYERS GATHERED AT TRAINING PITCH STRETCHING PLAYERS WARMING UP GOALKEEPER KEYLOR NAVAS PASSING BALL, RUNNING AND BLOCKING BALL, GOALKEEPER THIBAUT COURTOIS ATTENDING GOALKEEPERS TRAINING COURTOIS BLOCKING BALL SESSION IN PROGRESS STRIKER KARIM BENZEMA RUNNING COACH JULEN LOPETEGUI ATTENDING SESSION PLAYERS DIVIDED
- Embargoed: 2nd October 2018 13:52
- Keywords: Soccer Spain Julen Lopetegui Real Madrid Eusebio Di Francesco Roma Champions League Antoine Griezmann Sergio Ramos
- Location: MADRID, SPAIN
- City: MADRID, SPAIN
- Country: Spain
- Topics: Soccer,Sport
- Reuters ID: LVA0018Y5NCJJ
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text:Real Madrid coach Julen Lopetegui said on Tuesday (September 18) his defending champions are ready to start their bid for a fourth consecutive Champions League trophy when they host Italian side AS Roma.
Lopetegui said their Group G rivals, who they play on Wednesday (September 19), have even improved from last year when the Italians reached the semi-finals after knocking-out Barcelona and added Real will have to perform to the highest level to win.
Lopetegui refused again to say which goalkeeper will play in the Champions League, having three-time Champions League winner Keylor Navas compete with recently signed Thibaut Courtois for a starting place.
Los Blancos captain Sergio Ramos said Madrid's all-time top goalscorer Cristiano Ronaldo marked an amazing era at the club but that they can't keep living in the past now that the Portuguese is in Italy playing for Juventus, and added the playing style has changed since the Euro 2016 winner moved.
Asked about French striker Antoine Griezmann saying he is "at the same table" of Barca star Lionel Messi and Ronaldo, and hinting he deserves the 2018 Ballon D'Or, Ramos answered saying: "ignorance is very daring" and advised him to get different values from people like Atletico's Diego Simeone or Diego Godin. - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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