Conte has been warned: Ramos rules the Real Madrid dressing room

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The Blancos captain is, contrary to popular opinion, prepared to compromise off the field but it is better to be on his side than against him

Towards the end of Julen Lopetegui's ill-fated Real Madrid reign, club captain Sergio Ramos was asked if his vocal support for the under-fire coach might save him from the sack.

"If I am asked for an opinion, I give it," the defender replied. "But I do not think that an opinion of mine could influence such an important decision as the coach's continuity."

In a sense, he has since been proven right, as Lopetegui was dismissed after last Sunday week's calamitous Clasicio loss at Barcelona, in spite of the fact that he retained support of Ramos and the other Spain internationals within the Real dressing room.