Real Madrid captain urges team to forget 1-2 loss to Sevilla that halted their 40-match unbeaten run; says it's time to focus on Spanish Cup clash
Sergio Ramos
Real Madrid’s Sergio Ramos wears a dejected look after scoring a self goal against Sevilla during a Spanish League encounter at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan Stadium in Sevilla on Sunday. Pic/AFP
Madrid: Sergio Ramos believes Real Madrid have nothing to be ashamed of after losing their long unbeaten run against Sevilla, but also admits they cannot afford to dwell on the dramatic last-gasp defeat.
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Real looked on course to extend their record-breaking unbeaten streak to 41 matches after Cristiano Ronaldo's second-half penalty saw them leading 1-0 heading into the final five minutes at the Ramon Sanchez Pizjuan.
But Ramos' own goal against his former club drew the teams level and then new Sevilla signing Stevan Jovetic sent the home fans wild by firing home a stoppage-time winner.
Race for title heats up
The result was Real's first loss in a competitive match since last April and saw their lead at the top of the table reduced to one point by second-placed Sevilla, but captain Ramos says his side can be proud of their efforts as they switch their focus to Wednesday's Copa del Rey quarter-final first leg with Celta Vigo.
He said on his club's website: "We've got to hold our heads up high after playing with a new system, which saw us have lots of possession and really control the play. We can draw positives from it, but it's a shame we've lost. Now we face the steepest mountain and it's a case of seeing who gets to the top first and who's able to hold on in there.
"Despite the loss, we still depend on ourselves, we're still top. We now have to turn the page and think about the Copa del Rey."
Ramos handed his former employers a way back into the match when he headed Pablo Sarabia's cross into his own net five minutes from time.
It might have been a night, which Ramos would want to erase from his memory immediately, but the Spain international was far from ashamed by how the match went.
Sergio ignoring jeers
He said: "It was one of my best games, I've been jeered more than other times, but I try to ignore it. I try to give my best and I'm going away pleased with my attitude. As captain, I felt the affection of my team, of my fans and now it's time to move on from it. I'm sad about the loss because these were three important points."
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