The injury bug is starting to affect Europe’s top teams, and Real Madrid was hit with some bad news Wednesday.
Despite a dominant performance in Tuesday’s UEFA Champions League, the Spanish club announced that Sergio Ramos dislocated his left shoulder after injuring it during yesterday’s game.
“Following the tests carried out on Sergio Ramos today in the Sanitas La Moraleja University Hospital, the player has been diagnosed with dislocated acromioclavicular joint in his left shoulder. His condition will be evaluated,” a statement from Real Madrid read.
The 29-year-old Spanish international defender was substituted off in the team’s 4-0 win against Shakhtar Donetsk, and while no timetable for his return has been set, Real Madrid faces four opponents before its derby with Atletico Madrid on Oct. 4.
“Always with a smile, whatever happens. Working hard to come back stronger,” Ramos said after the diagnosis.
Here are some more news and notes:
LIVERPOOL MIDFIELDER COUTINHO URGES CALMNESS
Things are not going too well at Liverpool, and one star said the team needs to be more clam under pressure Wednesday.
Liverpool playmaker Philippe Coutinho told the team’s website that he is upset to miss time after serving his suspension against Manchester United, and he wants to start as soon as possible because he knows the team is under pressure.
“We have to not only remain calm but also to work hard to achieve what we want on the pitch,” Coutinho said. “It feels bad to be out and not being available to be selected and help the team but we have to look ahead now and get over these two recent games we lost.
“There are lessons to be learned so we can move on and avoid making the same mistakes. We have a great team here and we know we can improve – and that’s what we’re trying to do right now.”
Despite Coutinho’s desire to treat Thursday’s Europa game against Bordeaux with intensity, Brendan Rogers is expected to sit some of his first-choice players, including Christian Benteke, James Milner, Nathaniel Clyne, Martin Skrtel and more, according to the Liverpool Echo.
“After two consecutive defeats, we’re conscious there’s going to be more pressure from the outside – we have to do things right on the pitch so we can achieve good results,” Countinho added.
FORMER MANCHESTER UNITED CEO SAYS MANCHESTER CITY WILL NEVER BE AS BIG
According to a former Manchester United CEO, the Red Devils’ crosstown rival will never be as big in certain markets around the world.
Former United CEO David Gill told The Telegraph that Manchester City will never be able to appeal to as large of an audience in certain parts of the world, like Asia.
“I’m not being arrogant here but it will never be as big as Manchester United in Asia and certain markets,” Gill said. “Look at Liverpool, the club haven’t won the league for so many years, but they are very popular in Asia. The big teams with history and heritage, like Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Juventus and Real Madrid, have that.”
Gill did praise the way Manchester City has performed on and off of the field in recent years, though, saying it had “made mistakes” previously but is on the right path now.
“What they’ve done in conjunction with the Manchester city council in east Manchester is fantastic,” Gill added. “If Sheikh Mansour decided he wanted to sell the club tomorrow, what he’s left there, in terms of the development of that whole area, is unbelievable and is great testament to what they have done.
“Clearly, they have raised their game and it is a very well run club. It’s very exciting for the Premier League. They will, without a doubt, be a long-term player and a force to be reckoned with for many years.”
QUICK KICKS:
Borussia Dortmund forward Marco Reus will miss Thursday’s Europa match against Krasnodar due to a toe injury. (REPORT)
Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany says his calf injury, which forced him off against Juventus Tuesday, is not serious. (REPORT)
—
What do you think of Ramos’ injury? How do you think Liverpool will fare in the Europa league? Think Manchester City will ever be as well-known and supported as Manchester United?
Share your thoughts below.
I can understand why CEOs like Gill believe that promoting the “history and heritage” of a club will make them boatloads of money, but I’ll never understand why people in other “markets” buy into that garbage. What does Real Madrid’s “history and heritage” have to do with someone from China? I enjoy watching high level soccer and may prefer one team over another but I’m not a fan of any of them because I’m not from there.