It all started so beautifully for Napoli inside a rocking Stadio San Paolo in Naples in their second leg match against Real Madrid. A mesmerizing buildup led to a really well taken goal by Dries Mertens in the 24th minute.
The build-up in this Dries Mertens goal is beautiful to watch. 2-3 on aggregate now.#NapoliRealMadrid #UCL pic.twitter.com/aJZ018pdEp
— Foul Throw (@foulthrownet) March 7, 2017
With the aggregate score standing at 2-3, one more goal would see Napoli through on away goals. With a front three of Mertens, Lorenzo Insigne and Jose Callejon backed by Marek Hamsik, the remaining 65 minutes looked set to be torture for Real Madrid and their supporters.
But as is always the case, Sergio Ramos popped up off a corner to guide the ball into the back of the Napoli net with his gel swept hair, which maximizes the size of his lethal forehead and boosts his aerodynamical capabilities.
Sergio Ramos levels it 1 when Real Madrid needs goals in BIG games Ramos always steps up #Clutch #RMNAP #UCL pic.twitter.com/fS1KOmC00M
— Nino (@Nino_416) March 7, 2017
Trailing 2-4, Napoli needed two goals to send it to extra time. But then, as is always the case, Ramos somehow evaded his markers on a corner to rise highest and send a header goalward. Mertens provided an unfortunate touch to redirect it in. In all honesty, it’s getting kind of annoying in its predictability.
Surprise, Surprise. Real Madrid need a goal, Ramos provides!
— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) March 7, 2017
Forget man marking vs. zonal marking from corners, whoever faces Real Madrid in the quarterfinals should devote at least 80% of their available players to defending Ramos on corners. Tell who’s ever marking Dani Carvajal to cut the s*** and just tackle Ramos.
12 - Sergio Ramos has scored 12 goals in his 100 games in European competition for Real Madrid, 8 of them with his head. Courage. pic.twitter.com/f3RkSAZ0rg
— OptaJose (@OptaJose) March 7, 2017
Real Madrid ended up winning the match 3-1, Alvaro Morata adding a goal in injury time, and 6-2 on aggregate.
Real Madrid advance to the quarters as one of three teams to have not lost in this year’s competition, along with Paris Saint-Germain and Juventus.
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