Real Madrid: Keep measured expectations for Eden Hazard vs. Manchester City

Eden Hazard will return just in time for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash against Manchester City. But what should we expect from the star winger?

It’s been a long wait for Real Madrid fans, but Eden Hazard seems set to return to action vs Celta Vigo in La Liga after almost two months out. While most Madridistas will be hoping Hazard starts right where he left off vs PSG, it’s not going to be that simple as any player that returns from an injury lay-off needs game time to get back into rhythm and gel back with the team.

Before Los Blancos face Manchester City on the 26th of February, Real Madrid play two games in La Liga and these two games will be vitally important for Hazard to get back into shape. Manager Zinedine Zidane is expected to give Hazard around 30 minutes in the first game and 60 minutes in the next. With Madrid knocked out of the Copa del Rey, Zidane lost not only the chance to win the tournament but also an extra game that could have been used to get Eden back in shape.

Zidane has also handled the player’s return with extreme caution. Eden has been back training with the team for more than two weeks now and was widely expected to feature in the last game vs Osasuna. In the end, he was left out of the matchday squad which shows that Zidane doesn’t want to take any risks with any relapses or muscle injuries.

In all likelihood then, the Eden Hazard that will feature on the 26th of February will not be a player at his 100% as he only gets two games to get back into rhythm. It took Hazard a lot of time just to integrate with this team, and while he won’t take the same time this time around, there’s still going to be a small period before he is back to his very best for Madrid.

Everyone needs to remember that even if Hazard isn’t at 100% on 26th, it’s going to be a two-legged tie and by the time the second leg comes around he should be firing on all cylinders and taking Madrid as a whole to a new level.