Sergio Ramos and Rafa Benitez Reportedly Hold Clear-the-Air Real Madrid Talks

Real Madrid boss Rafael Benitez and defender Sergio Ramos have cleared the air following their criticism of one another following the derby draw with Atletico Madrid on Sunday.

According to Radio MARCA (via Marca's Santiago Siguero), the pair "patched things up properly before Wednesday's training session" following Benitez's phone call to his player on Tuesday night.

The report reveals they "enjoyed a relaxed chat at the training ground. Both admitted that things had been said and done that they weren't happy about, while pledging to try to avoid any repeats."

Ramos also spoke to the media to play down the bust-up. Per ESPN FC's Dermot Corrigan, he said, "I always speak with my coaches. Don't worry yourselves, everything is very relaxed. It's not a big deal at all for me."

According to Sport, after the match, Benitez highlighted Ramos' foul on Tiago, which earned Los Rojiblancos a penalty—albeit Keylor Navas saved the spot-kick.

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In response, the Spain international hit back by criticising the manager's substitutions in the match, per the same report.

Content to sit back on a 1-0 lead, Benitez hauled off goalscorer Karim Benzema to bring on another midfielder, Mateo Kovacic, but Los Blancos conceded Luciano Vietto's late equaliser and were unable to find an even later winner.

Football journalist Dermot Corrigan revealed that both criticisms were perhaps fair:

However, doing so to the media rather than in a private discussion were mistakes on both Benitez and Ramos' parts.

The manager is new to the Bernabeu, and while he has enjoyed plenty of high-profile jobs in his career, none have been in the pressure-cooker environment at Madrid where everything is scrutinised to the nth degree.

Likewise, as his record of giving away penalties—and his overall disciplinary record—shows, Ramos is often a defensive liability as much as he is a key figure at the back.

The pair burying the hatchet and moving on is of huge importance to the club's title challenge. While neither's comments were especially incendiary, Los Blancos will need a good level of squad harmony to overcome Barcelona, who generally tend to show great togetherness as a unit.

With the situation behind them, Benitez and Ramos can return their focus to the task at hand, which is to return to winning ways after drawing their last two. Levante are up next for Real, so they should do just that—and possibly in some style.