Sergio Ramos bails out the "BBC"
Ramos again
Once again it was Sergio Ramos who rose highest to head home Real Madrid's equaliser and indeed repeat the feat soon after to put his Madrid side in the driving seat in the tie. The player from Camas is for many non-Madrid fans a source of ridicule and in equal measures a source of devotion from the Bernabeau faithful, however both admirers and detractors do know one thing, when the team needs a shot in the arm, the defender is always on hand. At San Paolo last night we didn't have to wait until the death for a grandstand finish as Ramos cropped up earlier. Real Madrid were struggling, trailing 1-0 on the night and starting a possible elimination from the competition until the No. 4 intervened.
Neapolitan dream ends
So Madrid are in the quarter final draw following two Ramos headers and a late Morata goal but the result overshadows the reality of the game that unfolded in Naples. Once again, the BBC failed to generate any degree of danger for the opposition and were a source of disorder for Madrid's game-plan. Napoli were in charge, scored a goal and were on the cusp of eliminating the holders going into the break. The still needed a further goal and were playing against a Madrid side playing with little structure. This was all until Sergio Ramos stepped up as his goal took the initiative from the home side and ended the tie as a contest soon after with his second on the night. The 30 year old single-handedly killed off the Neapolitan dream.
BBC on the blink
After the Ramos goals, Bale and Benzema were both substituted for more enthusiastic replacements and Morata's late goal was merely testimonial. Zidane's decision to remove the French and Welsh striker is a brave one given the setting. The BBC failed to impress and apart from a Cristiano shot which struck the post, offered very little on the night. Napoli were in charge for the bulk of the game and thanks primarily to Ramos, Madrid are into the next stage of the competition but still have to resolve the issue of how to work with the BBC.
