Ramos vital for Real Madrid

If anyone has returned from lockdown in fine shape for Real Madrid, it is Sergio Ramos. Despite being 34, the defender in the player who has shown to be the fittest for 'Los Blancos' since the restart. 

Against Real Sociedad, Ramos was once again a bit better than his opponents physically until he went off injured. His imposing physical state catches people's attention because Ramos has been playing since he was a teenager. Normally, when you have been playing at the top level for so many years, you usually become less fit as age catches up with you. 

Real Madrid saw how Ramos had to leave the field of play at the Reale Arena after scoring a penalty. It was 0-1. He went off, Militao came on and things got more difficult for them. 

Without them, Januzaj thought he had made it 1-1 and then Mikel Merino pulled one back for Sociedad to make it 1-2. Two examples of Real Madrid being much less beatable without their captain. 

Ramos has returned being even more important for Zidane, who has made him an untouchable player together with Courtois, Varane, Carvajal, Casemiro, Kroos and Benzema.

The knock which saw him get taken off in San Sebastian means he is a doubt versus Mallorca. Even though he has recovered, Zidane might want to rest him for matches against bigger opponents. 

The Champions League return against Man City, still a long time away, could be a problem for RM. They will be without Ramos and they have lost five of their last six European games without him. That is how important the 34 year-old is.