Eden Hazard has a base place with Belgium on Monday evening in the final group match against Finland at the European Championship. However, it is questionable whether the injury-prone winger is still on the field during the final whistle. “I don’t expect to be able to play for ninety minutes at the moment,” emphasizes the realistic Hazard in the run-up to the meeting with the Finns in St Petersburg.
Hazard, who has suffered from one injury after another at Real Madrid in the past two years, has said he has never doubted his qualities as a footballer. “But the fact that I would ever get one hundred percent fit again,” says the winger at the press moment prior to the duel with Finland. “As you know I broke my ankle a total of three times and it will probably never be as strong as it was at the beginning of my career ten years ago. But I will have to learn to live with that.”
“I know what I can do when I’m in shape,” said the determined Hazard. “Am I afraid that my opponents now know my weak spot? Then I have to learn to play smarter. It’s just that simple, I have to find a solution for that.” Hazard also discusses whether he feels freer and more comfortable with the national team than with Real. “There is always a lot of pressure in Madrid, but also at the Red Devils. But I always make sure that I don’t take that on the field.”
Hazard has been hit by no fewer than two different injuries in the past two seasons at Real. Despite this, the thirty-year-old attacker was fit in time for the European Championship. National coach Roberto Martínez used Hazard as a substitute in the previous group matches against Russia (3-0) and Denmark (1-2). Thanks to the two victories, the Belgians are already assured of a ticket for the eighth final.
Football zone keeps you informed about everything about EURO 2020
Curious about the current position, the competition program and much more European Championship news? Click here!
Related
More sports news