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Ramos scoffs at Pique claim
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REAL Madrid captain Sergio Ramos has brushed aside an insinuation by Barcelona’s Gerard Pique that the Spanish league leader is getting preferential treatment by referees ahead of tomorrow’s round of games.
Real hosts Las Palmas while Barcelona, a point behind in second place, albeit having played a game more, is at home to Sporting Gijon.
Chasing its first La Liga crown since 2012, Real is top after a Sunday that saw each of the rivals get late wins. Barcelona had moved top thanks to a late strike from Lionel Messi in its 2-1 victory at Atletico Madrid.
Real then moved back into first place after a 3-2 come-from-behind win at Villarreal. Cristiano Ronaldo converted a disputed penalty to equalize after Villarreal captain Bruno Soriano handled following a ricochet in the area. Villarreal coach Fran Escriba and substitute Roberto Soldado were both sent off from the dugout for protesting the decision.
Alvaro Morata then scored the winner in the 83rd minute.
Afterwards, Pique tweeted examples reported by the Spanish press that refereeing decisions were going in the league leader’s favor and against his own team. “I don’t believe that the referees attempt to give or take anything away from you, quite the opposite, they try to be fair,” Ramos told his club’s website.
Real gave away two early goals in a midweek defeat to Valencia. “We’re focused on continuing to improve,” he said. “We want to keep picking up three points in order to win the title.”
Las Palmas forward Jese Rodriguez will face his former club less than six months after leaving Real to join Paris Saint-Germain. He has not scored since joining Las Palmas on loan on January 31 and his side has lost all four games since his arrival.
Barcelona hosts coach Luis Enrique’s hometown club without defender Jeremy Mathieu, who sustained a sprained ankle against Atletico. The defending champion has Messi in top form, with the Argentina forward having scored in his team’s last four league games. He has a league-best 20 goals.
Barcelona captain Andres Iniesta says the aim is to play well and keep the pressure on the leader. “We need to keep on winning for when they (Real) make mistakes,” Iniesta told reporters yesterday. “It’s good for them to notice that we are right there.”
Sporting is in the relegation zone.
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