LaLiga: Real Madrid misses Hazard and Vinicius achieves a narrow victory over Valladolid

Madrid: Real Madrid lost the creativity of injured Eden Hazard, as only a serendipitous goal by substitute Vinicius Junior earned him a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid in LaLiga on Wednesday.

Vinicius took advantage of a chaotic defense in the Valladolid penalty area after entering in place of Luka Jovic, Madrid’s failed striker who was compromised but ultimately unsuccessful again in front of goal.

“We know we have to improve and we are going to do it,” said Zinedine Zidane.

Jovic could still be allowed to leave before the transfer window ended on Monday and he must have watched with envy that Vinicius had a mere chance to give Madrid their second win of the season.

But the lack of goals only served to highlight the absence of Hazard, who was due to make his first appearance of the season only to retire from the team on Wednesday with a muscle injury to his right leg.

Vinicius took advantage of a series of defensive errors by Valladolid to seal Madrid’s victory. Image courtesy of AFP

Hazard did not take part in Madrid’s first two games, and Zidane insisted the Belgian midfielder needed to be in top shape and pain free from the troublesome ankle problem he struggled with last season.

However, a separate injury means Hazard is now expected to be out for at least another two weeks, leaving Madrid without his € 100 million ($ 117 million) signing, just as they had to do for extended periods during their first year.

“It’s a little thing,” Zidane said. “I don’t know if it will be days or weeks, but it’s not long.”

With the departure of Gareth Bale and James Rodríguez, responsibility for the attack will fall on players like Vinicius, even if Zidane preferred to start with the Brazilian on the bench and give Jovic another chance to impress alongside Karim Benzema.

“We lacked a bit of rhythm, we needed to move the ball faster,” added Thibaut Courtois.

“If you don’t move the ball fast, it’s easy for them to defend. In the second half, we were better.”

Jovic, who has scored just two goals since arriving from Frankfurt for € 60 million in July 2019, could not be faulted for lack of effort and was arguably Madrid’s most active attacking player in the first half.

But two good occasions were begging and Zidane finally brought Vinicius shortly before the time.

Seven points out of nine continue a solid start for the reigning champions, with Barcelona playing away at Celta de Vigo on Thursday.

Previously, Atlético de Madrid followed Granada’s 6-1 win on Saturday with a much less spectacular goalless draw in Huesca.

Valladolid remains winless after four games, having only achieved draws at home against Real Sociedad and Celta de Vigo.

Jovic got involved early for Madrid, his run down the left gave Marcelo a sight on goal, before a quick counterattack ended with Fede Valverde sliding the ball but he fired.

Jovic lunged into the side net after a good job from Luka Modric and then saw a header stopped early in the second half, with Casemiro smashing the rebound off the crossbar.

With the game at stake, Valladolid sniffed an opportunity. Waldo Rubio dragged away from close range and then Shon Weissman ran forward and forced Courtois to make a smart save.

But as the visitors gained confidence, Madrid attacked, Vinicius took advantage of a series of defensive errors, the last one made by Bruno, and his punt attempt fell at the feet of the 20-year-old, who was not wrong.

Raúl García and Waldo were close to equalizing before Modric hit the post at the end.