Real Madrid head coach Zinedine Zidane is unsure how long Eden Hazard will be sidelined, but said the attacker was “upset” after another injury setback.
Hazard, 29, is enduring a torrid run in Madrid, and is yet to make an appearance this season.
💬 "We weren't brilliant, but we played with patience and calm, and we got the three points."
👔 This is what the boss had to say after our win against @realvalladolidE! #RMLiga | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/Hc1CJTmVUs— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 30, 2020
The Belgium international was ready to return from an ankle problem, but suffered a muscle injury that saw him miss Wednesday’s 1-0 La Liga victory over Real Valladolid.
Zidane is unsure how long Hazard, signed for a reported €100 million from Chelsea last year, will be unavailable.
“I can’t tell you how long it’ll be. He picked up a bit of a knock in training before the game,” he told a news conference.
“It looked like a muscle spasm but in the end it turned out to be a bit more than that. It’s something muscular. It’s nothing to do with the injury he’s had and these things happen.
“He’s been out for a long time. I don’t think this one will be long but I can’t tell you exactly.”
Hazard has struggled to impress since arriving at Madrid, where he scored one goal and provided three assists in 16 La Liga appearances last season.
Zidane said the former Lille star was disappointed after his latest injury.
“He’s upset because he was all right. We talked about it at the press conference before the match, but he’s had a setback and these things can happen,” he said.
🏁 FT: @realmadriden 1-0 @realvalladolidE
⚽ @vinijr 65'#Emirates | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/CmgXwSZ5u1— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) September 30, 2020
Read Also: Neymar blacklisted by Spanish authorities over €34m tax debt
“He’s not happy, he knows that it’s not a big thing and we have to take it easy with him. It’s a question of little time, I’m sure.”
After earning seven points from their opening three La Liga games, Madrid visit Levante on Monday.