Ancelotti: Hazard more frustrated than anybody with injuries

Carlo Ancelotti claimed nobody is more frustrated with Eden Hazard’s injury problems than the Belgium international himself.

Hazard joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in 2019 for a reported €100million (£88.5m), but the former Blues star has endured persistent physical issues since his arrival in the Spanish capital.

He has managed a full 90 minutes on just four occasions in all competitions for Madrid, scoring just five times in 51 matches, prompting supporters and local media to vent their frustrations with the 30-year-old.

Hazard, though, has registered five starts this term – making eight appearances in total for his 382 minutes – but that short-term recovery has stuttered again as Ancelotti confirmed he would be without the attacker for the trip to Shakhtar Donetsk.

Despite the unavailability of the former Lille man, Ancelotti insisted Hazard is the most frustrated by the continuous injury problems after the forward returned from international duty with muscle fatigue.

“Hazard is tired of having these problems, he isn’t injured but he has an overload,” Ancelotti said at Monday’s pre-match news conference.

“Nobody is more frustrated than Hazard. I think he will be available against Barcelona or Osasuna.”

Hazard has only recorded one goal and one assist in 799 minutes for Madrid in the Champions League (12 appearances).

At former club Chelsea, he averaged a goal or assist in the competition every 183 minutes, scoring eight goals and setting up a team-mate eight times in his 38 appearances.

Ancelotti – without Hazard for Tuesday’s visit to Ukraine – will have to rely on his other stars, with young prospects Eduardo Camavinga and Federico Valverde impressing recently to place pressure on Toni Kroos, Casemiro and Luka Modric.

The former Milan head coach, however, insisted his experienced trio remain an integral part of his plans as Madrid search for domestic and European glory.

“I think they [Kroos, Casemiro and Modric] are players who continue to compete at the top level,” Ancelotti continued.

“Then we have a squad with young players like [Antonio] Blanco, Camavinga and Valverde who are pushing them a lot.

“I have to take into account everyone’s age and their experience. We have a midfield that can compete against anyone.”