Ancelotti gets nod to carry on from Sergio

"Goals change games," as all the best football analysts know. But Sergio Ramos’s 93rd-minute header for Real Madrid in Saturday’s Champions League final changed so much more.

As the clock ticked past the 90 minutes, Madrid’s Decima dream looked over.

Coach Carlo Ancelotti had messed up his team selection, captain Iker Casillas had been at fault for Atletico’s goal, €100m man Gareth Bale and fellow galactico Cristiano Ronaldo had little impact on the game.

Blancos president Florentino Perez was in despair — and must have been already thinking of who and what to chop.

Then Luka Modric swung over a corner, and Ramos rose above the Atletico defence to guide a perfect header to the net.

As extra-time began Ancelotti’s fresh attacking substitutes Marcelo and Isco were driving their side on against exhausted opponents. Bale soon headed in the all-important second goal from close range. Marcelo ran through for No 3 and Ronaldo converted the final penalty and celebrated bare-chested on home turf.

Had Atletico held on Ancelotti was a goner for sure — with likely replacements including former Madrid players Zinedine Zidane or Michel, who both lack a decent managerial CV but could keep fans and pundits happy.Now the Italian is as safe as any coach can be at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu.

There would also have been a (perceived) need for a new ‘galactico’ signing to divert attention from this season’s failure. Liverpool’s Luis Suarez was the most likely target — with another world record fee not out of the question. Given Madrid’s €500-odd million debts, big name players — even maybe captain Casillas — could have been sold to raise the required funds.

But Ramos did score, Madrid did win La Decima, and — for once — the Bernabeu might just see a quiet summer.