JAKARTA - Real Madrid's curse when playing without Sergio Ramos in the Champions League shows no signs of improving.
In fact, Wednesday night's defeat against Shakhtar Donetsk in the group stage opener marked Los Blancos' seven defeats from their last eight European matches without the captain.
After suffering an injury against Cadiz, in which Madrid also lost, Ramos missed the match against Shakhtar at Estadio Alfredo di Stefano. This is one of Real Madrid's most embarrassing defeats in recent years.
The inspiring Spain defender will have to watch his team-mates succumb to what looks, on paper, to be their easiest match in the group stage.
Real Madrid's dark history in Europe without Ramos dates back to the 2017/18 season. Although Los Blancos won that year's competition, they were not without fear against Juventus, who, in Ramos' absence, came back from a three-goal aggregate deficit, before Cristiano Ronaldo's penalty saved the day.
In the 2018/19 season, after the departure of Cristiano Ronaldo to Juventus, it became clear that Real Madrid relied heavily on the presence of their captain. In the group stage, CSKA Moscow was twice ahead of them when Ramos was rested. And finally Ajax beat Madrid 4-1 at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu as suspended Ramos watched from the stands.
The curse continued into the following season when Paris Saint-Germain won 3-0 against Real Madrid in their opening group match in the French capital. Ramos, in this match, is still suspended from the previous season.
Then, once again in the round of 16 and once again without Ramos suspended for the second leg, Manchester City beat Real Madrid.
Now in the 2020/21 season, this curse looms over Real Madrid, showing no signs of ending. In fact, it came back to attack.
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