Zidane confirms Hazard is ready for Chelsea reunion

Football
By Mirror | Apr 19, 2021
Real Madrid's Eden Hazard during the presentation [REUTERS/Sergio Perez/File Photo]

Eden Hazard is "ready" to take on Chelsea in the Champions League according to Zinedine Zidane.

The Real Madrid ace will be heading back to Stamford Bridge for the semi-finals of the European Cup.

Hazard was a star in west London before making the switch to Spain just over 18 months ago.

The Belgian has endured a nightmare time at the Bernabeu with injuries and a lack of form hampering his ambitions.

He is again sidelined but is closing in on a first-team return with Zidane claiming his desire to return is higher than ever.

"He is feeling very better and he is ready," he said. "He wants to be back more than anyone else.

"We have been more cautious with [Dani] Carvajal and Hazard because they are relapses.

"They are both better and that is good for the team."

Chelsea's Eden Hazard in action with Wolverhampton Wanderers' Romain Saiss [REUTERS/David Klein]

Los Blancos saw off Liverpool in the last eight whilst Chelsea beat Porto.

Zidane has a glittering record in Europe having won the tournament three times as a manager.

Thomas Tuchel will be looking to end French manager's record of having never lost in a two-legged European tie.

The German has guided the Blues into the final of the FA Cup having only taken over in January as his impressive start to life continues.

Last season he took PSG to within 90 minutes of Champions League glory and had hoped for a tie against the Spanish giants.

He said: "In general I like not to play against teams from your same league in the Champions League as it gives more of a feeling of a European competition but that is the only thing."

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