Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has said that Belgian international and current Real Madrid midfielder Eden Hazard may miss the rest of the season.
The news comes after the central midfielder suffered yet another ankle injury in Madrid’s surprise La Liga defeat to Levante in La Liga last weekend. Hazard moved to Los Blancos from Chelsea last summer for 89 million pounds. However, he has only played to games since November and his season now looks in doubt following this injury. In fact Hazard has only recovered from an ankle injury which kept him out of the side. It is thought the injury picked up against Levante is to the same ankle. Real will host Manchester City on Wednesday in a crucial last 16 clash in the Champions League. It is an important week for Madrid, as they face Barcelona in La Liga this coming Sunday.
Speaking about Hazard’s injury at a press conference ahead of the game with Manchester City, Zidane said, He (Hazard) loves playing football and while I can’t tell you what is in his eyes, I can see he is not happy”. The former French midfielder continued, “I do not know if he will have to go through an operation. It is not my area and I don’t know if his season is over, but I hope not”. Zidane would not comment on whether the injury was handled correctly first time around. He said he wasn’t the right person to say what should or shouldn’t have been done. Furthermore, he said, “We are not happy about Hazard’s injury, it comes at a bad moment. He wanted to play and help us but now he is out again, which is sad of course”.
In relation to the game Zidane claimed that Guardiola is a better coach, he said “He has shown that over the years, at Barca, Bayern and now City. That’s my opinion. Some people can think other coaches are better but for me, he is the best”. He continued, “But it is Madrid against City, not Zidane against Guardiola. It will be a great game. We always want to play games like this and we will do our best to come away with a good result.” Real v Manchester City takes place at 8pm on Wednesday evening at the Bernabeu, the return leg takes place at the Etihad on March 17th.
