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Will Real Madrid cope without Pepe and Ramos?

By Jake Cole

MELBURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Sergio Ramos (L) and Pepe of Real Madrid C.F celebrate after scoring during the international Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 24, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images)
MELBURNE, AUSTRALIA - JULY 24: Sergio Ramos (L) and Pepe of Real Madrid C.F celebrate after scoring during the international Champions Cup match between Real Madrid and Manchester City at Melbourne Cricket Ground on July 24, 2015 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Helios de la Rubia/Real Madrid via Getty Images) /
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Sunday night could have been a disaster for Real Madrid against Las Palmas, but thanks to Casemiro it didn’t seem too bad. Until obviously they realised they are without Sergio Ramos and Pepe for their next league game against Sevilla, will they be able to cope without the important defensive duo?

A fifth booking of the season for Pepe (yes, I was surprised too!) in the game on Sunday night meant he is suspended for the game against Sevilla and with medical room regulars, Nacho Fernández and Raphaël Varane it could be a problem area for Madrid in a crunch match for them in their season.

To make matters even worse, Ramos managed to get himself sent off, after two stupid yellows against Las Palmas. It is fair to say Madrid will be without their best two defenders against a strong Sevilla side on Sunday night. This could signal a bad end to a bad season for Real Madrid. No doubt they have improved hugely under Zidane, but for the quality they are meant to have they really haven’t shown it this season.

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It is very well-known in world football that Ramos and Pepe are prone to a yellow card or two due to their intense and physical style of play. But, they really have put their team in a spot of bother this coming Sunday, a match that could determine their season, as they are now closer to fourth place than Barcelona at the top of the table.

There is not much they are able to play for now, with Barcelona running away with the league again, but they need to ensure Champions League football for next season without having to go through the dreaded qualifying rounds.

Pepe and Ramos may have made the task to ensure Champions League group stage next year even harder. A tough game anyway has been made a whole lot harder with the suspensions of two of the most valuable players at Madrid, not to mention Ramos is the captain as well.

Usually, Varane is a perfect fit to replace either of them at centre back, but he has had his injury troubles this year and is unlikely going to be fully fit due to lack of game time and Nacho has a lack of experience in big games.

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The likelihood is that both Nacho and Varane will play but they both will not be 100% and it could lead to them being exposed at the back by Sevilla’s attack. Obviously both players are good defenders, otherwise they wouldn’t be at one of the biggest clubs in world football, but how will they cope when being thrown into the deep end together.

At many times this season Madrid’s back line has lacked consistency due to injuries and no centre back partnership has had a long run in the team together. Varane and Nacho hasn’t been a regular partnership, in fact it hasn’t been used that much at all. However, they will have to get it together for Sunday and bring out a positive result against Sevilla who are still in with a chance of catching Real Madrid.

Nacho and Varane can do a job in the heart of Real Madrid’s defence, but if Sevilla are on form it could be a long night for the two young centre backs in the absence of Ramos and Pepe. A win for Real Madrid could all but secure Champions League football for next season but, a loss could put it all into doubt. I expect a summer of heavy spending at the Bernabéu.

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