Zidane remains unconvinced by Hazard – Vinicius partnership

By Agency Reporter On Jun 10, 2020 0

Eden Hazard’s return from injury is fantastic news for Real Madrid ahead of the final 11 matches of the LaLiga Santander season, yet Zinedine Zidane remains unconvinced of the prospect of playing both the Belgian and Vinicius Jr together.

With the break allowing Hazard to recover fully from the surgery he underwent in Dallas on March 5, his return does though complicate matters for the Brazilian, as he is now expected to drop to the bench, leaving him with less chance of first-team football.

Both players have a natural tendency to favour the left-wing, and playing either on the right would cost too much in terms of their comfort and contribution. Up to this point they have only played 78 minutes together on the pitch.

So how do you solve a problem such as this? Well, quite simply one of them has to drop to the bench, and it won’t be the club’s record signing.

Whilst there has yet to be a vintage Hazard display in the famous white of Real Madrid, Zidane trusts him based on what he knows he can produce.

With Vinicius Jr there is still an element of haze around his talent, at least in Zidane’s mind, and he hasn’t used him as much as Santiago Solari did last term.

The former Flamengo prodigy knows he has to earn his place from the bench, but mentally he is ready for this challenge, especially as it has been clear since the COVID-19 lockdown lasted longer than a month, ensuring Hazard’s return.

Once football resumes in Spain on Thursday, coaches will have the added benefit of five substitutions per match, something which will allow Zidane more room to manoeuvre with his attacking players.

Marco Asensio will also return after missing the entire campaign to this point through injury, and Zidane will be hoping to find a way to play the Spaniard and the Belgian together.

Zidane’s helping hand

Even though he now finds himself as a substitute rather than a starter, Vinicius has kept his head down.

His good performances against Atletico Madrid and Barcelona before the break in the season have given him a new lease of life and he’s convinced that he can still play an important part in the coming weeks.

The Brazilian found himself out of the team in the first part of the campaign, but his self esteem is higher now and he thinks the situation is different.

Zidane has always encouraged the youngster, urging him to improve and be stronger in his defensive work.

The Real Madrid boss has often stayed behind after training to help him improve his finishing – an attribute that the coaching staff have singled out.

The pair have a strong bond and Vinicius trusts Zidane to make the right decisions for his development.

“Zidane is very close to me,” the Brazilian told La Razon.

“He gives me lots of advice and, above all, lots of enthusiasm.

“He never wants to see me disappointed. He wants to see me progressing.

“I’m not one to get myself down, but if I was, he wouldn’t allow it.”