Real Madrid will have two things on their mind this Monday according to Diario AS.
On one hand they have to prepare for Tuesday morning’s departure for Ukraine to face Shakhtar Donetsk, while on the other they have the second part of Eden Hazard‘s medical examinations.
Hazard was injured during Saturday evening’s defeat to Alaves and it’s currently unknown how long the Belgian will be out.
Sunday’s ultrasound didn’t shed a whole lot of light, so the club are hoping that Monday’s examinations can prove more conclusive.
Of key importance in Madrid’s thinking is the derby with Atletico Madrid on December 12th, exactly 14 days after the game against Alaves. Atletico are now regarded as the favourite for the league title given their imperious early-season form.
The club have maintained that Hazard’s problem was a muscle injury in his right thigh, but coach Zinedine Zidane explained at his press conference that Hazard told him it was a blow, and that he was worried the shock of the impact could trigger a muscle problem.
Whatever it was, it’s another clear roadblock in Hazard’s development as a Madrid player.
His appearance against Alaves was his third start in a row, the first time he’s managed such a sequence this season. He only did it twice last year.
Los Blancos will feel his loss particularly keenly given the intensity of fixtures coming up.
In the next two weeks Madrid face Shakhtar and Borussia Monchengladbach in the Champions League as well as Sevilla and Atletico in the league.
It could be a season-defining period, especially given that across all fronts, Madrid’s margins for error are closing rapidly.
Featured image courtesy of Goal.
