We're the same team even without Zizou, CR7, says Ramos

Abu Dhabi - With Real aiming for their fourth title, Ramos will look to win his 20th trophy at the club

You know all is not well at Santiago Bernabeu when Madridistas whistle and boo their own superstars. 
In what was a week of misery for Real Madrid, the Sergio Ramos-led side were humiliated by CSKA Moscow in the Champions League at home before surviving a scare in a highly unimpressive 1-0 win over bottom-dwellers Rayo Vallecano in La Liga.
But the Fifa Club World Cup in the UAE has now given Real Madrid a chance to regain their mojo with a third straight title in the prestigious tournament. 
Real, who will play Asian champion Kashima Antlers in the semifinal at Zayed Sports City on Wednesday, went through their paces with the first training session at New York University on Monday evening.
With the exit of Zinedine Zidane and Cristiano Ronaldo - both of who left the club at the end of last season - it will be interesting to see if Real can finally overcome some of the issues that have crept into their game in recent months. 
However, skipper Ramos remained defiant as the centre-back said the team has what it takes to deal with any situation on the field.
"I don't think you'll see much of a difference on the pitch. We've got quite a similar team, despite losing Cristiano, who was a very decisive player for us. We'll compete with the same approach that the club has always taken. Winning is always the objective," he told realmadrid.com. Ramos said the matches in Abu Dhabi were an opportunity to settle things for his team.
"I'm very happy to return to Abu Dhabi. It's a good sign. It means that the season has gone well. We'd like to give something back to the people who always welcome us here and show us a lot of support," he said. 
With Real aiming for their fourth title, Ramos will look to win his 20th trophy at the club. 
But the skipper said he was more interested in team's success.
"Personal objectives are secondary. The team's goals come first: winning the Club World Cup and taking the trophy back home with us is the most important thing. On a personal level, if I can play well, that will be a bonus and hopefully it will benefit the team."
Coach Santiago Solari said the 'Whites' were eager to add another title in the season.
"We hope to retain the title this year. We have been following the Club World Cup on television and now we're happy to turn our focus to Wednesday's game," the former Real Madrid and Argentina midfielder said. Striker Gareth Bale, who will play a key role on Wednesday, said the players were working hard for the matches. 
"Every time we play a competition we want to win it. We want to win this trophy again. I want to thank the fans for supporting us wherever we go," he said. 
Winger Lucas Vazquez says winning a third straight Fifa Club World Cup will be very special for Real Madrid.
"It is not easy getting into the Club World Cup three years in a row. I have great memories from the last two finals that we were lucky to win. We're all geared up to try and win this third title," he said.
ashwani@khaleejtimes.com