Eden Hazard and improved Real Madrid facing scrutiny at home as Champions League returns to the Bernabeu

Hazard looking to sparkle on the European stage tonight.
REUTERS
Ben Hayward1 October 2019

A lot has changed since Real Madrid played their last Champions League match at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos' 4-1 defeat to Ajax on March 5 saw the defending champions crash out of the continental competition and a few days later, coach Santiago Solari was sacked. The revolution started right there.

Zidedine Zidane returned and despite his side's 3-0 loss at Paris Saint-Germain in the first round of group games on September 18, Madrid are in good shape as they sit on top of La Liga after seven matches.

But back at the Bernabeu, some doubts remain. Madrid's famous home can be an unforgiving place at times and Los Blancos' best performances in Europe in recent times have often come on the road.

Real's last three knockout games at the Bernabeu have not yielded a single win. Prior to the 4-1 loss to Ajax last season, there was a nervy 2-2 draw against Bayern Munich in the 2017-18 semi-final second leg and before that, a 3-1 defeat to Juventus, when a contentious last-minute penalty converted by Cristiano Ronaldo rescued ZIdane's side from a possible humiliation with the tie poised at 3-3 and extra time looming.

Madrid's last group game at home was also a disappointment as Solari's side were thrashed 3-0 by CSKA Moscow. Even though there was rotation and the fixture was a dead rubber with Real already guaranteed top spot in their group, it was a dreadful display from Los Blancos.

In La Liga, there have been some struggles too. Madrid were held to a 1-1 draw by Valladolid at home earlier this season and almost threw away a three-goal lead in a 3-2 win over Levante ​last month. There is a nervous tension in the air at the Bernabeu on occasions and that anxiety has clearly affected the players in recent times.

"Our fans are so important," Zidane said on Monday. "We know what we want to do. We haven't started well in this Champions League and we need points against [Club] Brugge."

The Belgian champions sit top of their league after eight rounds, with 21 goals scored and just three conceded, and drew 0-0 with Galatasaray at home in their first Champions League group game after advancing through the preliminary rounds. They will be no pushover.

While Madrid will look to continue their recent form, having picked up seven points from nine since Paris and not conceded any goals in that time, Eden Hazard will also face scrutiny from the Bernabeu tonight.

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The Belgian attacker has failed to fulfil expectations since his summer transfer from Chelsea. Hazard received criticism for his physical condition during pre-season and has made minimal impact so far, having missed the start of the season with a thigh injury.

"I'm not a Galactico yet. I have to show I can be one," he admitted on Monday. "We all know the history of the number 7 [shirt] at this club and I want to show that I can be the best in the world."

Up against his compatriots and on club football's biggest stage, tonight would be the ideal time to start showing just that after a difficult start to life in Spain.

Judgement awaits for Hazard and for Zidane's improved Madrid as the Champions League returns to the Bernabeu tonight.

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