Real Madrid: Eden Hazard injury may be more serious than once thought
Real Madrid left winger Eden Hazard suffered an ankle injury against PSG last week, and while it seemed to be a minor knock, it may actually be more serious than initially thought.
Eden Hazard was turning up the heat on the left flank for Real Madrid, looking every bit like the nine-figure Galactico signing Florentino Perez envisioned the Belgian being. Defenses could not get their hands on Hazard, who was dusting midfielders with turns to start counterattacks and providing delightful bits of skill to get into the opposition’s penalty box.
Unfortunately, Hazard suffered an ankle injury just as he was hitting his peak powers, as he absorbed a completely unnecessary and clumsy challenge from PSG right back Thomas Meunier in Real’s Champions League game last Tuesday.
Initially, Hazard’s injury wasn’t expected to be serious, as he only reportedly suffered bruising that would make the injury a 10-day affair.
However, Cadena COPE reports that Real have “great concern” over Hazard’s injury. The forward is said to still be in crutches and in pain when walking, so it’s possible he may miss more time than initially expected.
It seemed like Hazard would be able to play against Club Brugge on Dec. 11 as his return date, and that will be Real Madrid’s final group stage game of the 2019-2020 Champions League campaign.
However, if Hazard’s ankle injury is indeed still lingering, then he could be in doubt for the Dec. 15 La Liga fixture against Valencia, who are a notoriously difficult proposition for Los Blancos despite their poor play this season.
And of greatest worry would be Hazard potentially missing El Clasico at Camp Nou on Dec. 18. Hazard’s dribbling ability, work rate, and quality in transitioning attacks would make him the difference-maker against FC Barcelona, who have been barely holding onto the top spot in La Liga.
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If Hazard cannot play, then Isco could make more appearances on the left side or Vinicius Junior will move back into the lineup. Rodrygo can also play on the left, but Gareth Bale’s own recent injury woes could force the 18-year-old to start on the right side.
Hazard is of critical importance to Real’s success, so Madridistas can only hope that he is ready to face Barcelona at the latest.