Zidane hails return of Hazard
Eden Hazard’s Real Madrid return is like signing a new player, according to manager Zinedine Zidane.
The Belgium international, an £89 million arrival from Chelsea in the summer, has not played since the end of November because of an ankle injury.
However, the 29-year-old is back in contention after returning to fitness.
“We know what he brings to the team, that’s why we signed him, and now is the right time for him to return,” said Zidane, whose side are top of Laliga didn’t do myself much good. But I need to just keep trying to score as many as I can. Next week’s the next chance I’ll get, so I’ll aim for that.
“If the manager has loads of options in the goalscoring department, then it can only be good for the country.”
By his own prolific standards, Shankland’s current run of two after five successive league wins, ahead of the visit of Celta Vigo.
“I’m very happy that he has returned. After three months out it’s like we have signed a new player.
“We had to be careful with him, give him a little more time and not hurry him back, but he’ll be with us. He’s ready to play.”
Hazard’s return is timely as Real will face Manchester City in just over a week when the Champions League returns.
The Premier League side are reeling from Friday’s UEFA announcement banning them games without a goal is something of a dry spell. Worryingly for Inverness, the striker has not gone three games without hitting the back of the net at any time this season.
“I’m going to get chances and miss them. It’s impossible to score with every chance I get,” he said.
“I like to get on the scoresheet, but I’m not going to get too worried about it.
“As long as we win I’ll be happy.” from the competition for two years for Financial Fair Play breaches.
However, Zidane does not believe that will have an influence when they meet in Madrid on February 26 and Manchester on March 10.
“With respect to the sanction I don’t want to get into that. It’s not my job,” he added.
“What I’m going to say to you is to talk about football when we play against them. They are a very competitive team, very strong and this isn’t going to change.”