Real Madrid will be without Eden Hazard for their Champions League second-leg round of 16 tie game against Atalanta due to another injury setback.
Hazard was the main absentee from Madrid’s final training session ahead of today’s clash.
The Belgian had made his return against Elche at the weekend and was expected to continue to increase his role in the Champions League.
However that will not be the case, as coach Zinedine Zidane confirmed that the former Chelsea star winger is injured once again.
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“He will not be able to be with us for this game, but as I am optimistic, I hope it will be a little thing,” Zidane said at Monday’s press conference.
Meanwhile, Madrid also released an medical report on the injured forward, which stated: “Following tests carried out today on our player, Eden Hazard, by the Real Madrid Medical Services, he has been diagnosed with a muscle injury in the right psoas. His recovery will continue to be assessed.”
Zidane asked for “patience” after the Belgian’s return against Elche but the club had pinned many of its hopes on having one of its best players in a game, this second leg against Atalanta, which is key to the team’s season.
He will have to decide whether to bring back Marco Asensio, keep going with Vinicius or look to give Rodrygo a run-out from the start, the latter Brazilian revitalising the attack in the 2-1 win over Elche. Karim Benzema, as always, is nailed on for a front line starting berth.
The treatment room had quietened over recent days – following returns of the likes of Hazard and Ramos after several weeks – with only three players remaining: Carvajal, who still has a few weeks to return, Mariano and Odriozolam, who continue their rehabilitation. But Hazard’s absence makes him the fourth player on the injury list once again.
