Madridistas can breathe easy. Eden Hazard Smile again. The start against Finland was enough for the Belgian international to regain the joy on his face and in his game.
“He feels strong and happy. His body is reacting well, “he commented. Roberto Martinez, Belgian coach, after the victory over the Scandinavians (0-2).
Hazard he hadn't started a match since the Champions League semi-final return to Chelsea. Then, he was seen without a spark, quite the opposite of last night in St. Petersburg.
With the “Red Devils” jersey he was not a starter since November 2019. It has rained a lot since then, including three ankle injuries.
Hazard, hungry for a goal
From the first minute he asked for the ball. He never hid. Looked for Lukaku to make walls and surprise the Finnish defense. The companions, aware of the ordeal that he has lived with the white shirt, were looking for him permanently.
It favored him that the team already had a place in the round of 16, but the leadership of Group B was still at stake. You had to win.
After half an hour, he tried his luck from outside the area. A stomp on the edge of the break made him fear the worst, as he limped ostensibly. False alarm. It wasn't the ankle.
In the second half, he was even seen angrily protesting an arbitration decision. He was involved in the game. If not for Hradecky, who took a shot down, Hazard would have recovered more than the smile.
The MVP went to his partner Kevin de Bruyne, but Hazard He was the one who tried the most on his team. The glory went to the authors of the goals, Vermaelen and Lukaku, but the madridista was happy.
He ended up tired, but smiling. Hazard He felt like a footballer again. The peace that reigns in the selection favors him, although the player assures that the pressure of playing with Belgium is also very great, since he is one of the favorites to win the Eurocup.
Martínez, delighted with his game
Martinez se was “delighted” with his performance. From the beginning of the call, the Spaniard said that the important thing was to see Hazard “enjoy” the ball again. His joy is contagious.
“The next step is now to see to Eden give the last pass, that shot that ends up in the nets ”, he pointed out.
Nobody guarantees him the title in the round of 16, but it does seem that Martínez is already willing to line up together Hazard, De Bruyne and Lukaku.
“I do not know if I am one hundred percent, but I am ready to start,” said Hazard himself.
About, Martinez tHe also maintains that Hazard is not the kind of player who needs to be one hundred percent. He is a player of moments.
The round of 16 will be played in Seville, where the field will be slow, according to Martínez himself. A detail, a snatch can decide the game. It may be your moment.
Either way, Hazard vto burning stages. The next is to get closer to the level of the Manchester City midfielder, the top candidate for the Ballon d'Or, and the attacker of Inter, aspiring top scorer in the Eurocup with three goals. There is still work to be done.
Chasing ghosts
The open-hearted confession he made at the press conference prior to the game that closed the group stage has been catastrophic.
On the one hand, he put fear in the body of all his football lovers by admitting that his ankle will not “be the same again” as it was ten years ago after three injuries in two seasons.
“That's life,” he admitted resignedly.
To recover from a problem, one must first admit its existence. Hazard pHe looks determined to be the one to shine again at Chelsea, at least for the next few weeks.
At 30, he is aware that this tournament and the World Cup in Qatar are possibly the last in which he will be able to win a trophy with his team and go down in Belgian football history as more than just a talented player.
ANDl Real Madrid It will also be the great beneficiary of Hazard's rebirth. In times of pandemic, the good news about your fitness and the green shoots of your game are the best antidote to depression after a blank year.