Manchester United’s Champions League encounter with Benfica represents a resumption of hostilities with foes who have provided a yardstick for their European standing for over half a century.
london — Frustrated by his past failures, Chelsea star Eden Hazard has been urged to finally stamp his mark on the Champions League.
While Cristiano Ronaldo, Lionel Messi and Neymar have cemented their legendary status with headline-stealing performances in Europe’s elite club competition, Hazard remains one of the tournament’s biggest enigmas.
Hazard’s quality is without question and the Belgian midfielder has been shortlisted for the 2017 Ballon d’Or award after playing a key role in Chelsea’s Premier League title triumph last season.
But despite tormenting defenders in domestic competitions, since Hazard made his Champions League debut with Lille in 2011, the game’s grandest stage has seen frustratingly few glimpses of that exquisite talent.
With that in mind, Chelsea’s clash with Roma on Wednesday offers Hazard a chance to
I think last season Eden played a really important season. He played very well and was really important for us to win the league Antonio Conte
change the narrative. Aware that Hazard is now in his prime years, Chelsea manager Antonio Conte has issued a public challenge to a player sometimes known for letting his diffident personality have a negative effect on his performances.
“I think last season Eden played a really important season. He played very well and was really important for us to win the league,” Conte said. “For us he showed in every game great talent and to be a really good player. This competition is very important for him and for the team. —