Hazard’s return to form could not be more timely for Real
Eden Hazard is beginning to show just why Real Madrid made him their star signing in the summer. And his return to form could not be more timely at the Bernabeu.
They play at home to Galatasaray in the Champions League tonight, and victory would put them within touching distance of qualification from Group A.
Hazard has endured a disjointed and disappointing start in Spain, where expectations soared following his long-awaited €100 million (Dh 410m) move from Chelsea in June. A week later, 50,000 thousand fans streamed into the Santiago Bernabeu to see Hazard wear the shirt while some even ran to the entrances to grab a better seat.
But the grand opening fizzled, in part due to events off the pitch, a combination of bad luck and personal circumstances. On the day before Madrid’s first game of the season away at Celta Vigo, Hazard pulled a muscle in training and had to withdraw from the squad. He sat out three matches before making his first start against Paris Saint-Germain, but looked off the pace as Madrid were thrashed 3-0.
Hazard was left on the bench against Osasuna amid reports he was overweight and then scored his first goal against Granada, a delightful looping finish that promised finally to unleash the Belgian’s best.
“We know the quality of player we have and we know he is going to deliver,” said Zinedine Zidane in September.
But the international break checked Hazard’s momentum and he missed Madrid’s first match back, a 1-0 loss away at Mallorca, due to the birth of his fourth child. In the three games since, he has appeared in bursts, delivering exhilarating moments. “He sees things that other players cannot see,” Zidane said.
Yet there have been disappointments too, not so much glaring errors as a general hesitance, a tendency to choose the safe option or fail to choose at all when in those attacking positions he usually relishes.
Hazard’s most impressive showing so far was against Real Betis last weekend, when Madrid failed to score but he had his exuberance back, not to mention the change of pace that at times has appeared worryingly absent.
He was darting through gaps rather than turning away from them, taking risks, and unfortunate to see a superb goal ruled out for offside. “Everyone wants to see Eden playing better,” Zidane said last week. “But I see him getting much better every day. He will get there in the end for sure.”
Madrid’s goalless draw against Betis shows why Hazard’s crescendo must find its climax, and quickly, if Zidane’s team are to avoid the same problems up front that proved their undoing last season.
Despite the best efforts of Karim Benzema in recent months, the void left by Cristiano Ronaldo is still to be filled and although Hazard has never been a prolific scorer, he can contribute and enhance the numbers of others.
Few doubt Hazard will soon rediscover his peak, certainly not Zidane, who insists goals are all he needs. Real Madrid need them too.
In the other game of the night, Manchester City coach Pep Guardiola will be tempted to rotate his squad at Atalanta with one eye on the huge Premier League clash with Liverpool at the weekend.
City are looking to maintain their 100 per cent win rate in this season’s group stage but with a five-point cushion he can afford to make some changes against the Italians, who they beat 5-1 at the Etihad two weeks ago.