• Top news

Real Madrid suffer fresh injury blow for Atalanta showdown

Eden Hazard, Real Madrid
Getty Images
Advertisement

Zidane has confirmed another injury setback for Real Madrid ahead of the Champions League game against Atalanta.

Eden Hazard is unavailable for Real Madrid’s second leg against Atalanta in their Champions League last-16 tie due to a muscle injury in the right psoas.

The former Chelsea winger wasn’t seen during the first 15 minutes of Monday’s open training session for the press as Real Madrid began preparations for Tuesday’s decisive match.

The club released a medical report in the afternoon explaining that Hazard has sustained a psoas muscle problem after Zinedine Zidane confirmed he is out of the squad.

“Hazard is not ready for tomorrow. He has something, we will soon discover what he has,” said the Real Madrid manager in his pre-match conference.

“I can’t say anything more, but I want to think positive. We want him to be ok and we will help him.”

Los Blancos have released no information yet on when Hazard may return to action. Reports suggest, though, he is set for another lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The 30-year-old, who made a 15-minute cameo in the 2-1 win over Elche on Saturday, has already missed 21 games due to injury. He’s only played 14 times, managing 646 minutes and three goals.

As for Sergio Ramos, the Real Madrid captain trained with no problems after playing 61 minutes against Elche in a three-man defense. Zidane, therefore, hasn’t ruled out using a similar backline to face Atalanta.

Casemiro, meanwhile, is suspended after picking up a booking in the first leg and Mariano Diaz remains sidelined.

x