EDEN HAZARD will miss Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with Atalanta after picking up yet another injury.
The Spanish champions welcome the Italian minnows to the Bernabeu on Tuesday night for the second leg of their Champions League last-16 tie.
Eden Hazard is a doubt for Real Madrid’s Champions League clash with AtalantaCredit: Reuters
But they’ll be without the services of Hazard for the visit of La Dea as the Belgian has suffered an injury to his psoas muscle which effects the lifting of the upper leg.
Hazard, 30, was absent from the open portion of Real’s latest training session on Monday afternoon, sparking fears he’d suffered yet another setback.
Real confirmed his injury a few hours later, with reports claiming he could be sidelined for up to six weeks.
Hazard joined Real in June 2019 from Chelsea for an initial fee of £89million, although that sum could end up rising to £150million.
But the Belgium international’s ‘dream’ move to the Spanish capital has been anything but that.
The former Lille man has been blighted by injury during his time with Los Blancos.
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Hazard has missed a staggering 21 games this season and only taken to the pitch 14 times.
He returned to action last weekend in Real’s 2-1 victory over Elche, coming off the bench for 15 minutes.
The Belgian’s torrid run of injuries has had a detrimental effect on his performances on the pitch.
In 36 appearances for Zinedine Zidane’s side, Hazard has found the back of the net just four times and provided seven assists.
And getting back to his blistering best is the winger’s top priority.
He recently told Premier Sports: “When it comes to the end of my career I can look back at my achievements, but my priority now is playing well and enjoying my football.
‘I don’t think about where I will be in the next few years, I try to focus on the next match and the next training session.
“I’ve only just turned 30 so as long as my body feels good, hopefully I can keep playing for at least another five or six years.”
The under-pressure Zidane has every confidence Hazard will eventually justify his hefty price tag.
The Belgium international has been blighted by injury during his time at the BernabeuCredit: Getty
The Frenchman said: “He looks well physically and emotionally.
“He’s overcome all these injuries, these aches and now he looks good, that’s why he’s with us and I hope he can play.
“He had a lengthy injury that he hadn’t had before, but he has a long contract and I think he’s a player who, when he gets fit, is going to be great, I’m certain of it.
“It’s difficult when a player has an injury and isn’t 100 per cent, but I’m sure he’s going to do very well here.”
Real Madrid have a 1-0 advantage from the first leg against Atalanta.
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Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
