Real Madrid vs. Sevilla: 3 possible X-Factors on La Liga’s Matchday 35

Eden Hazard rebounding

As Zinedine Zidane said in his pre-match press conference, the focus with Eden Hazard right now is 100 percent on football, and the Belgian left winger understands that he needs to produce for the team before the season ends.

Hazard made his return from injury against Real Betis a couple of weeks ago and looked good off the bench. He started last weekend against Osasuna and created one great opportunity with a terrific backheel. But aside from a couple of nice touches and turns, his influence has been minimal. That’s honestly predictable, considering he just returned from another lengthy absence from the pitch. But it does not ease the minds of Madridistas, who want more from their No. 7.

Sevilla definitely qualifies as a big game, and we haven’t seen a remotely good big-game performance from the former Chelsea superstar since November 2019 against PSG. And we all know what happened to end the match, with Hazard limping off the field after Thomas Meunier’s wholly unnecessary challenge. Hazard has not been nearly as good since.

Madridistas know his quality, and most fans back the player, despite what the social media dialogue may suggest or what some people outside the fanbase want you to think.

Real Madrid have the most talented player on the pitch on Sunday, and the pitch will be filled with talent on both sides. He didn’t make the difference against Chelsea, but maybe the recent discussion will be enough to motivate the usually laid-back Hazard into turning his play back up to level “11”. (Or, maybe more appropriately, “7”.)