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Eden Hazard’s return has generated a lot of excitement among Real Madrid fans, and the Belgian has shown flashes of brilliance in some impressive performances, but the result has rarely equaled his individual display.
It is worth remembering that the forward only tested negative for COVID-19 a few days ago, having tested positive for the first time on November 7, however, he left for Villarreal on Saturday afternoon. He knows that there is a lot of responsibility on his shoulders, but his performance at the Estadio de la Cerámica was not Hazard’s best.
Hazard lacked rhythm and it was evident. His way of playing, with an emphasis on dribbling and creation, suffers when he doesn’t have that outburst to get away from opponents, as is the case right now. As such, the 29-year-old ends up passing it to a close teammate rather than running straight to defense.
Zinedine Zidane was aware of this and therefore put Vinicius Junior against Villarreal, hoping that the Brazilian could take advantage of his speed and help Real Madrid score a second goal. However, it did not have the desired effect, as Villarreal scored the equalizer from the penalty spot after Thibaut Courtois dropped Samu Chukwueze.
This is the second time this season that Hazard has had to come back after a stint off the team. The first was as a result of his physique and fitness at the start of the campaign, with the former Chelsea star making his first appearance of the campaign for Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League on October 27.
Just when it looked like Hazard was getting into some shape, and it seemed like he was ready to step up and become the star Zidane hoped he would be when he first signed in the summer of 2019, he tested positive for COVID-19. . That meant they missed the 4-1 away loss to Valencia, as well as Belgium’s games during the last international break.
However, his two coaches with Real Madrid and Belgium, Zidane and Roberto Martínez respectively, are in tune. They both think Hazard will return to his best in 2021.
Looking ahead to the European Championship next summer, Martínez understands the need for the forward to be firing at full throttle, also acknowledging that Hazard has already recovered from the ankle operation he underwent in March. The Spanish coach is optimistic that Real Madrid number 7 will shine in the Spanish capital and then take that form to Euro 2021.
Coach’s favorite
Zidane is of the same opinion. There is no doubt that it is the Frenchman’s priority to put Hazard in his XI, even ahead of other players who have been at the club longer, such as Marco Asensio, who only played six minutes against Villarreal. Vinicius also entered the Estadio de la Cerámica as a substitute, while Rodrygo Goes warmed up the bench throughout the game.
Therefore, everything points to Zidane naming Hazard in the starting eleven of Real Madrid’s crucial Champions League game against Inter in the middle of the week. The Belgian has had some playing time and has shown glimpses of his talent, and the hope now will be that he builds on that in training.
Zidane has always relied on Hazard for the big games, even when there have been doubts around him, as was the case when Real Madrid faced Villarreal in the final stretch of last season, with this victory helping the Whites to achieve the LaLiga Santander title at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium.
Unlike other players returning to the fold, Zidane is not afraid to put Hazard in the XI as soon as he returns to training with the group. After all, Hazard is his signing and he still believes in him.
Source: m.allfootballapp.com
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