Sergio Ramos says there's 'nobody better' than Fernando Hierro to lead Spain out of turmoil

Sport360 staff 01:13 15/06/2018
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  • Sergio Ramos (r) talks tactics with Fernando Hierro (in black)

    A day after their World Cup campaign was plunged into turmoil, Spain’s captain, Sergio Ramos, and new head coach, Fernando Hierro, put forth an united front ahead of Friday’s tournament opener against Portugal.

    La Roja were considered one of the favourites to lift the trophy this summer after a two-year unbeaten run during the reign of Hierro’s predecessor, Julen Lopetegui. But Lopetegui was sacked on Wednesday, a day after Real Madrid announced that he would fill their managerial vacancy once the World Cup was over.

    The whirlwind 48 hours were hardly ideal preparation for the 2010 champions, but Ramos is backing his new manager to guide the squad through the turbulence.

    “There is nobody better than Fernando. He was a great player and has known us for a long time,” the defender said.

    Ramos, who is also Madrid captain, sidestepped suggestions that Lopetegui’s appointment by his club could have opened up fissures between players in the national team due to the bitter rivalry between Real Madrid and Barcelona.

    “There are no cracks,” he said. “We are all individuals and we all think differently, but the collective idea is the same – we are here to go for the World Cup.

    “This is special, it is my first World Cup as captain. In football you learn above all during the bad times. What has happened has united us.”

    Almost simultaneously, Lopetegui was being unveiled by Real Madrid, describing being sacked by Spain as “the saddest day of my life since the death of my mother.”

    His successor promised that despite the change in management, there would not be sweeping changes to the national team setup.

    “We are absolutely fine coming into this game,” Hierro said of Friday’s clash with Portugal, the Euro 2016 champions.

    “We know quite clearly what we want. We respect the champions but we have full confidence in the boys and what they have done in these last two years.”

    Ramos and Hierro are ready to put Spain's turbulent prelude behind them.

    Ramos and Hierro are ready to put Spain’s turbulent prelude behind them.

    RONALDO’S LAST CHANCE?

    Spain will come up against a familiar face in Ramos’ club-mate Cristiano Ronaldo, who at 33 is likely looking at his last chance to win the World Cup, and will want to add to his below-par tally of three total goals across three separate editions of the tournament.

    “I prefer to have him on our side,” Ramos said of Ronaldo. “We know how important he is, he is a constant danger.”

    The two Iberian nations are expected to progress from a group that contains Morocco and Iran, with Friday’s match likely to determine which one tops Group B.

    Spain are still sweating over their right-back slot, with Real Madrid’s Dani Carvajal, who went off injured in the Champions League final last month, struggling to regain full fitness in time.

    Portugal, who are looking for their first victory over Spain at a major tournament since Euro 2004, have no injury worries.

    “This is a ‘Clasico'”, manager Fernando Santos said. “We are two countries who have a lot in common, not least the fact we share a border. We are neighbours, but also teams with great quality.”

    “We don’t want to be arrogant, but we are full of hope.”

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