Ten days later, here is Real Madrid once more. But the conclusion remains the same: Eden Hazard should not start on the pitch. And this, even if he had started on January 23 in the draw once morest Elche. Meeting where he had oscillated between the delicious and the bland.
Vinicius and Rodrygo back from selection
There are several reasons to believe that the 31-year-old Brainois will sit on the bench. First of all, the two Brazilians are back in the selection. Indeed, Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr might not take advantage of this mini international break to rest. Like Casemiro, they were called up by Tite to play the draw once morest Ecuador (1-1, 27/01) and the victory once morest Paraguay (4-0) which ended between Tuesday night in Wednesday.
Legitimately, one would have thought that they would be absent from the Madrid group less than 48 hours following their last game. But Ancelotti and Tite have agreed: minimum playing time for the three Real players. Thus, Vinicius Jr was started twice but played a little over an hour each time. Rodrygo only spent eight minutes on the pitch. And Casemiro remained on the bench during the last meeting. All South American internationals returned to Madrid this Wednesday at 4 p.m. After a little evaluation, it was agreed that the Brazilians, just like Valverde, are fit for duty.
And the jet lag? According to Ancelotti, this shouldn’t be a problem. As he pointed out in a press conference: “Will Vinicius and Rodrygo be ready for Bilbao? They’re only 20. Not 60 like me!” A touch of humor that should not delight Eden Hazard. But that leaves little room for doubt.
Eden Hazard in a different role?
The Italian coach, however, remained vague on his squad composition. “We have to assess their physical condition. If they are just tired they will travel with the group. We will see if they start or not. If not, I might definitely need them in the course of match”, he added. As usual, he had a word for the captain of the Red Devils. “Eden Hazard is ready. It is possible to see him start, just like Gareth Bale”, he blurted out. Like a deja vu.
Only one element might redistribute the cards: Benzema’s injury. This heavy absence will modify the Mister’s eleven. Indeed, Ancelotti might opt for a false number nine with Eden Hazard. Like in seven minutes once morest Rayo Vallecano last November. Objective: to combine with the Brazilian rockets or the Asensio technique. Admittedly, this is a counter-use role for the Devil. But this tactic might allow him to gain rhythm. Rid of his injuries, he only needs minutes to return to his best level. Impossible for the Belgian to spit on playing time. Whether on the right or alone in the axis, two positions he likes less.
Obviously, there is another more “logical” and certainly more plausible possibility: to place Jovic in the lead. The Serbian is the natural replacement for KB9. But he has even less playing time than Eden Hazard. Whether he starts or gets into the game, one thing is certain: the Devil will have to do more. Finally scorer, and above all very good, in the previous round once morest Elche, the former Chelsea seemed released. But still, he has only tried his luck 13 times in 18 games this season. A balance sheet too insufficient for the one who has more the supersub label than a holder at Real Madrid.
