superior force under Carlo Ancelotti in 2014,
despite winning the Champions League last season
and leading LaLiga under Zinedine Zidane.
Ancelotti took Madrid to their long-awaited tenth
European Cup triumph in May 2014, before
capturing the Club World Cup seven months later.
The Italian left the club after failing to win a trophy
in 2014-15, with his successor Rafael Benitez then
sacked in January.
Former Madrid star Zidane, who had served as
Ancelotti's assistant, was promoted from his role
with the 'Castilla' reserve side and promptly led the
senior team to more continental glory in May,
orchestrating a penalty-shootout triumph over
Atletico Madrid in the Champions League final at
San Siro.
That victory has afforded Madrid, who hold a six-
point leader over title-holders Barcelona in LaLiga,
another opportunity to be crowned Club World Cup
winners.
Speaking to FIFA's website as Madrid prepare to
open their campaign against Club America in
Yokohama on Thursday, Ramos hinted the team of
2013-14, which contained the now-departed Sami
Khedira, Angel Di Maria and Iker Casillas, may have
been a marginally better outfit.
"Every season is very intense but I think that one,
with Carlo Ancelotti at the helm, was very
consistent," he said, when asked to rank the 2014
and 2016 sides.
"I think we played truly excellent football and we
maintained our rhythm."
Nevertheless, the experienced defender believes
Madrid are also performing strongly under Zidane,
as they seek to win LaLiga for the first time since
2012.
"We're doing a good job," he said.
"The structure and the core of the squad is the
same, and that's healthy for the team. We've got a
better understanding with each other, and we're on
the same wavelength on the pitch too. The team's
reaping the benefits of that. We've got a good mix
of veteran and young players.
"We want a happy ending to what's been a good
year for us. Being in Japan is a prize for us and we
want to take the final reward with us."
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