Barcelona center back Gerard Pique has slammed the actions of his compatriot Sergio Ramos against Lionel Messi in Saturday’s El Clasico at the Bernabeu. Tempers flickered right before half-time as an incident involving the pair gave fans a glimpse of a vintage El Clasico drama.
The collision occurred after both Ramos and Messi contested to win a loose ball. However, it was the former who won possession and, in the act of taking off with the ball, the Blancos’ skipper left an arm in the face of his Argentine rival.
The Barça skipper was seen rolling on the pitch in agony while play continued before the referee ultimately stopped the action. The Catalan’s No. 10 subsequently stood up and was seen in a brief heated exchange with Ramos who eventually went unpunished.
HT
— Premier Sports (@PremierSportsTV) March 2, 2019
One of the biggest talking points of the half was this collision between Ramos and Messi on the stroke of half time! Ramos faced no repercussions.
Live on Premier Sports 1!
Real Madrid 0-1 Barcelona #ElClasico #LaLiga pic.twitter.com/L4LOYsJME2
Speaking in his post-match interview, the Real Madrid skipper denied that he deliberately inflicted the injury on Lionel Messi. However, the 32-year-old center-back countryman Pique shared a dissimilar sentiment.
"Leo [Messi] had blood in his mouth. It was aggression from Sergio [Ramos]," Pique said after the match.
"Intensity does not have to be measured. I get along great with the Real Madrid players.
"But when you go out to the field you defend your colors and the rivalry is what you get.
"But once the game is over, the cordiality is mutual, the players respect us very much."
Lionel Messi is 2 games away from the all-time most El Clasico wins in history (19).
— Barça Universal (@BarcaUniversal) March 2, 2019
Ramos is the all time record holder of the most El Clasico losses (20).
Levels. pic.twitter.com/N8p6m9quom
With the win, Barcelona moved 12 points clear of Real Madrid. Ernesto Valverde’s side also leads second-place Atletico Madrid by 10 points although the margin could be cut to seven should Los Rojiblancos win at Real Sociedad on Sunday.
Despite escaping a booking against Barcelona in Saturday’s El Clasico, Sergio Ramos will be ineligible to feature in Real Madrid’s UEFA Champions League Round of 16 second leg clash with Ajax on Wednesday.
The Spanish center back was handed a two-game ban by UEFA after he was found guilty of forcing a booking in the first leg.
