Once again, the communication department of the Spanish football federation hit the mark. Thanks to a video tribute to the Vuelta 2022, Luis Enrique appeared salient on his racing bike in the company of Aitor Unzué, deputy of the Asturian by birth, to climb the Sierra de Madrid and announce the last list of summoned with the national selection before the long-awaited one for the World Cup. Among the names cited are those of Parisians Carlos Soler and Pablo Sarabia. On the other hand, no mention of Sergio Ramos. At 36, the holder of 180 selections with Spain remains a more than credible candidate for a place among the future globalists.
Luis Enrique: ‘Ramos can come back to the national team’
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The best proof? The very recent Spanish defeat at home against Switzerland in the Nations League (1-2). In Zaragoza, La Roja thwarted in all areas: 75% but generally sterile ball possession, poor offensive realism (eight shots attempted, four on target) and worrying defensive shortcomings on corners. Twice, Manuel Akanji (1.88m) came to wreak havoc in the Iberian rearguard. Thanks to his physique on the one hand, putting the 178 centimeters of César Azpilicueta at a distance to propel the ball with a powerful header into the cage of Unai Simon (21st, 0-1). Thanks to his mobility on the other hand, diving at the near post to deflect the ball with his foot and allow Breel Embolo to restore the advantage to the Nati (58th, 1-2). Would an athletic presence from Sergio Ramos to neutralize Manchester City’s central defender have allowed Spain to keep a clean sheet in the Romareda? It’s not impossible…
Ferran Torres, Sergio Ramos, Pau Torres and Sergi Roberto during Spain – Germany in the Nations League on November 17, 2020 in Seville
Credit: Getty Images
Since taking office after the 2018 World Cup, Luis Enrique has wanted to use the mistakes of the past in a selection too steeped in his 2010 world champions. Currently, only the eternal Sergio Busquets acts as a survivor of the glorious years Spanish at the heart of the latest lists. That said, the presence of the Barcelona defensive midfielder is not surprising. The atypical profile of the sentry in front of the defense, the experience at a very high level but above all the form of the moment are reasons to keep Busquets as captain and charismatic leader of the locker room. Left on the side for this gathering, the legendary center forward of Celta de Vigo Iago Aspas and Sergio Ramos, both in a good club dynamic, cannot say the same.
“Whenever there is a list, you like to talk about those who are not therecastigates the coach following a question about these two absences of mark. I rather prefer to talk about those who are there. I have no problem talking about them, but it’s a bit of an unhealthy curiosity and I don’t want to get into your game. I’ve taken the top 25 players I consider for upcoming matches. Ramos and Aspas have already gone through the selection. They can come back to it, there’s no doubt.” And for good reason: Luis Enrique, unlike a very pragmatic Didier Deschamps in assigning irremovable places to Hugo Lloris, Raphaël Varane or Antoine Griezmann, has operated on 100% merit since his appointment. It doesn’t matter the footballer’s CV or track record, only the last club performances count.
The Raul syndrome and the 4-3-3 question
This is enough to plead for a return of Sergio Ramos in the jersey of the Selección. Having become an essential cog at PSG since the arrival of Christophe Galtier, SR4 seems to have left his physical shortcomings and his catastrophic 2021-2022 season in the locker room. The statistics since the resumption speak for themselves: eight appearances in Ligue 1 including seven starts, two starts during the first two days of C1 and even a goal during the Champions Trophy against FC Nantes where the ex-captain of the Real Madrid had started on the lawn. Like a Raphaël Varane who finds colors after a complicated adaptation season at Manchester United, Ramos finds a steady pace at the twilight of his professional career.
A competitor at heart, Ramos would probably like to offer himself an outing worthy of his status as selection record holder with his country. Also, a surplus of experience in a workforce closer and closer to lifting a major trophy expected for more than ten years would not hurt. But in the event of a recall of Luis Enrique, would Ramos be ready to accept competition at the World Cup? In Spain, everyone remembers the decision (controversial at the time) of Luis Aragonés to do without the services of striker Raul Gonzalez Blanco, then captain and living legend of Real Madrid, during Euro 2008. Result of the races: Spain had won the competition thanks to a team in which David Villa and Fernando Torres had played a major role.
Sergio Ramos, PSG defender
Credit: Getty Images
Semi-finalist of the last Euro and finalist of the last League of Nations, Spain of Luis Enrique is one of the favorites for the next tournament in Qatar. Among his forces present, the Asturian can count on his tactical stability. Since his debut on the Spanish bench, the former FC Barcelona coach has mainly used the 4-3-3 to approach his international meetings. Another important detail: the defense has always been built on a line of four in the alternative game patterns (4-1-4-1 or 4-2-3-1). But in Paris, Galtier constantly uses Sergio Ramos in a system with three defenders (3-4-1-2, 3-4-2-1 or 3-4-3).
Therefore, would Ramos be able to readapt to a four-man defense like during his sumptuous years at Real? This is an as yet unknown scenario. “What percentage do you want to hear for him to go to the World Cup? Come on, 80%, had fun Luis Enrique in a press conference before the match against Switzerland, in a certain mistrust vis-à-vis journalists. Just kidding, but I don’t know. (…) It is excellent news to see Sergio Ramos on the pitch continuously. From there I can tell you what you want, but I consider the best players in place of Sergio Ramos to be the ones I called. And now, white smoke!” Is Luis Enrique preparing to renounce his principles of meritocracy in favor of a collective balance? Response in less than two months.
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