Carlo Ancelotti has nice words for Eden Hazard after the win against Athletic Club last Wednesday (1-2). The thirty-year-old attacker had a base place at Real Madrid for the second time in a row and fulfilled his role with verve, according to the Italian coach. However, Spanish media is divided over Hazard, who is struggling so much to regain his form at Chelsea.
“Of course Hazard is good for the team,” Ancelotti said. “He fought, he was threatening…” The trainer even goes one step further. “He’s back.” Hazard’s defensive work could also charm Ancelotti. “They (Hazard and teammate Vinícius Júnior, ed.) have understood well what the team has to do in a defensive phase. They have toiled and delivered class work.”
Also marca and ASH see progress with the Belgian. “Hazard showed at the San Mamés that he still has his moments,” wrote the former. ASH praises the work ethic of the dribbler who came over from Chelsea in 2019 for 115 million euros. Mundo Deportivo and Sport seem less impressed by Hazard’s performance. The latter gives him a five; the other thinks ‘Hazar failed to seize his chance while half the selection is out’.
At the next match of Real Madrid (on January 2 against Getafe), Rodrygo, Marco Asensio and Gareth Bale are expected back in the selection of Ancelotti. Hazard’s competitors on the wing have been missing in the past two matches due to a corona infection. In that context, the Spanish media are united: they all expect that Hazard will have to make way again in the starting eleven. Hazard has so far made twelve matches in LaLiga this season, in which he has not yet managed to score.