EDEN HAZARD is poised for an emotional reunion to Chelsea when he hopes to boot his old mates out of the Champions League.
The artful midfielder spent seven years at the club before switching to Real Madrid for £150million in June 2019.
Hazard has been dogged by injuries at the Spanish giants but is fit again from a calf strain — and he is pumped up to play tonight against Chelsea.
Real defender Raphael Varane, 28, said: “He is quite motivated to play a Champions League semi-final.
“He is a motivated footballer and if you play against your former club, that is an extra motivation in the club and the team we are facing.
“We know the quality they have and he wants to prove his on the pitch to help the team.”
Belgium star Hazard, 30, is most likely to be on the bench as he is eased back into action — while ex-Blues keeper Thibaut Courtois, 28, starts in goal.
Real boss Zinedine Zidane insisted: “There are no doubts about Hazard’s fitness.
“He played 15-20 minutes the other day and was quite good. The most important thing is he did not feel anything about his problem.
“He is quite well and now he is happy to have a game, because he is going to contribute to the team a lot.”
FREE BETS: GET OVER £2,000 IN SIGN UP OFFERS HERE
Christian Pulisic wears Hazard’s old No 10 shirt at Chelsea and the American left-winger has been described as his replacement.
But speaking ahead of the first-leg clash, Pulisic, 22, said: “He was an incredible player at this club. I definitely looked up to him.
“I am not comparing myself to him in any way or trying to be like him. I’m my own player, doing my best for this club.
“Obviously he was a massive player for this club and it is an honour to hear comparisons like that — but I still have a way to go.”
⚽ Read our Football live blog for the very latest news from around the grounds
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
