Real Madrid ‘almost certainly’ won’t have Eden Hazard vs. Alaves
Real Madrid star Eden Hazard is struggling for fitness for the fourth time this season.
Purchased for 100 million euros in the summer transfer market, Eden Hazard has had a difficult time living up to the high expectations at Real Madrid in his first season with the club. On the pitch, Hazard has been sensational, taking on defenders and creating chances, even if he’s only sparingly scored goals for the team.
But what’s hurt the most is injuries. Hazard was healthy throughout his career at Chelsea despite facing a lot of rough fouls from Premier League defenses, whom he would often embarrass. The knocks are starting to catch up with him, though. Hazard suffered two significant ankle injuries, and while he was healthy and at his best immediately after La Liga’s return, that is no longer the case.
The Belgian has missed the last two games against Getafe and Athletic Bilbao, which have both been narrow 1-0 wins to help Real maintain a four-point lead over arch rivals FC Barcelona in the title race.
Hazard, according to a report from MARCA’s Santi Siguero, is “almost certainly” going to miss a third game when Real Madrid face Alaves at the Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano on Friday night for the eighth “final” of 11.
While Marca writes that Hazard returned to training, he isn’t “fully comfortable” with dribbling as he usually does. He wants to play, but he wants do be able to go at “full fitness” so he can truly help the team. And Zinedine Zidane is reportedly unwilling to take any risks, which is exactly the approach he’s used with Hazard and others this season.
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As disappointed as it is for Madridistas to see Hazard listed on the injury report and not in the 23-man squad, the worst thing that can happen is an even worse injury or an aggravation. Hazard is an investment and one of the best players in the world, and he is even more necessary in the Champions League when Real Madrid attempt to come from behind at the Etihad Stadium for the second leg in about a month.