Real Madrid News
Real Madrid winger’s injury not serious, should be available for Osasuna clash – report
Squeezing in International games in an already stacked calendar comes with its own set of complications. The biggest of them is undoubtedly the increased injury risk for the players involved.
Eden Hazard fell victim to the same when Belgium faced the Netherlands yesterday. The winger started on the night but was forced off in the 63rd minute after an unfortunate clash with Marten de Roon.
According to reports from Mario Cortegana, it appears that Hazard has just suffered a minor knock, and his injury is nothing serious. Moreover, it was always the plan to remove him at the hour mark to preserve his fitness. As it stands, the Belgian will easily make it back on time to face Osasuna.
Injuries have marred the former Chelsea star’s career at Real Madrid since he arrived in 2019. While he has shown his quality in glimpses, Hazard has not even been remotely close to the monstrous winger he was in the Premier League.
Los Blancos take on Osasuna in seven days, and Ancelotti will hope to have Hazard available on the night. Given that the club have a whopping eight games in October, one can expect heavy rotation and a more pronounced role for the 31-year-old.
So far this season, the forward has made only four appearances for the club across all competitions. He found the back of the net in the Champions League against Celtic but has failed to make any other direct contribution to the goal.
Needless to say, this is Hazard’s final chance to prove his worth to Real Madrid’s management. Any serious injury hereon can close the curtains on his career in Spain.
Real Madrid’s performance against Real Betis was shambolic, to say the least as the team faced many of the problems that have haunted them over the past couple of years.
But on a night where most of the attackers struggled to create anything of note, Dean Huijsen emerged as a lone bright spark for Los Blancos.
Huijsen keeps his promise
As reported by MARCA, Huijsen was the standout performer for Real Madrid, marshalling the backline with real authority even as the team struggled around him.
There has been a noticeable shift in the young defender’s mentality this season, with the player showing more competitive nature and looking much fiercer.
This is an attitude Huijsen had always promised, having inherited the iconic number four shift from David Alaba, a number he associates with his idols Sergio Ramos and Fernando Hierro.
“What I do know is that I’ll give everything of myself every day, whether in training or in a game,” he vowed, and at La Cartuja he delivered on that word.
His primary task was neutralising Juan ‘Cucho’ Hernandez, and he did so superbly, drying up the Colombian’s supply and repeatedly anticipating danger.
He also held his own in a niggly battle with Antony, refusing to be ruffled by one of Betis’ most inspired performers.
His composure on the ball, one of the qualities that has elevated him, saw him venture forward, forcing a fine save from the goalkeeper in the 11th minute and later heading against the woodwork.
The Konate partnership grows
Alongside him, Ibrahima Konate did his job, albeit without matching his partner’s brilliance.
The Frenchman was a little less assured, both in and out of possession, reflecting the two speeds of the centre-back pairing.
Huijsen looks settled and increasingly commanding, while Konate is still building the sharpness needed to reach his best in white.
Nonetheless, the partnership is heading in the right direction, and in Huijsen, Real Madrid appear to have unearthed a genuine leader for an area that has long been a weakness.
Each performance is also an argument to Luis de la Fuente, as the defender looks to reclaim the Spain spot he lost before the World Cup.
