Real Madrid at Chelsea: Five X-Factors who could change the game

Real Madrid LW Eden Hazard

We go from one current Chelsea standout to a former Chelsea standout in Eden Hazard, whose homecoming at Stamford Bridge could be a potential fairytale in the making. Madridistas would love nothing more than to see Hazard dazzle as he did one-and-a-half years ago against PSG on a Champions League night before succumbing to a career-altering injury at the hands of right back Thomas Meunier.

Hazard has looked healthy in his last couple of appearances, including a 70-minute start over the weekend vs. Osasuna. The agile Belgian’s presence is necessary in the Real Madrid starting XI, because the club has received very little from wingers Vinicius Junior and Marco Asensio since El Clasico. Asensio has been especially disappointing, but it is Vini’s place that will be taken by the ex-Chelsea man this week.

Every honest observer understands what Hazard can do for this Real Madrid team and the quality he provides. Out of all five X-Factors spotlighted here, Hazard is the X-Factor of the X-Factors. He is the one who can change the game the most if he shows up at his best, even if we haven’t seen Hazard at his 100 percent to this point.

But even Hazard at 80 percent is very dangerous. He made a big impact in wins over Huesca and Alaves this season, so it’s not like he’s providing nothing to this team. But Chelsea is a new challenge and one that carries increased importance and personal meaning, given the context of this match at Stamford Bridge in the Champions League semifinals.