Real Madrid sports chief Pedja Mijatovic insists Sergio Ramos was not axed for yesterday's defeat of Athletic Bilbao due to a controversial interview he gave on Saturday.

After the narrow 3-2 win, Mijatovic admitted: "The match against Juve this week gave us little time to prepare for this match and then came these statements by Sergio ...

"Too often players do not think about what they are saying in public, but it's fine, we all make mistakes.

"The decision of the coach has nothing to do with his statements. If Michel Salgado played it is because he has deserved to and he had a good game."