Real Madrid

Borussia Dortmund's Achraf Hakimi has said he is not yet thinking about returning to parent club Real Madrid when his loan deal expires, and he believes Zinedine Zidane is the right man to lead Los Blancos.

The Moroccan full-back spoke to AS' Manu de Juan on a number of topics, including his own future. When asked about Dortmund's desire to keep him beyond the two-year loan deal and a possible return to Madrid, he said: 

"Right now, I'm only focusing on taking each game as it comes and performing to the best of my ability. Next summer's still a little way off and we'll just have to see what happens. I shouldn't start thinking about next year; I just have to concentrate on having a good campaign. That's the only way I'll have options open to me come the end of the season.

[…]

"My deal here lasts for two years, and that's an answer I can only give you once that loan period finishes. When the time comes, I'll see whether I've done enough over these two years and whether I'm ready for Real Madrid. Right now I feel like I'm doing well, and that if keep playing like this I could do a job for Madrid. But I can't say whether or not I'm ready until the end of the season. Ask me in May."

He also said he wouldn't celebrate if he scored a goal against Real in the UEFA Champions League, and he would rather not face his parent club in the tournament.

On his relationship Zidane, he said the former midfielder is a role model:

"It was, and is, really good. He's a coach who always gives me good advice - you can see that he wants the best for me, as if I were a son. Since I left, I've seen that he's spoken about me from time to time and I'm really grateful to him for giving me the chance to play for Real Madrid, the greatest club in the world. Whatever happens, I'll always have a good relationship with him.

[…]

"He's a role model for me, a fantastic player who has gone on to show that he's a fantastic coach, too."

Hakimi added the criticism aimed at the tactician is unfair, and he's the ideal coach for the club.

The 20-year-old made his Real debut under Zidane in 2017 and played solid minutes due to a defensive injury crisis. He made eight starts in La Liga, but his playing time diminished once everyone was back to full health.

Hakimi showed promise but also struggled at times, and the decision was made to send him out on loan to Dortmund. The youngster has blossomed at the Signal Iduna Park, playing as a full-back and winger.

He scored his first two UEFA Champions League goals in the 2-0 win over Slavia Prague:

Achraf Hakimi has scored his first ever Champions League goal for Borussia Dortmund.

The 20-year old delivers Borussia Dortmund the perfect start. pic.twitter.com/m0fDV35Qpo

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 2, 2019

Achraf Hakimi has scored two goals in a single game for the first time in his career.

At the double for Borussia Dortmund. pic.twitter.com/sUB9AmxOti

— Squawka (@Squawka) October 2, 2019

While Hakimi has flashed tremendous potential, his future at Real remains murky. Dani Carvajal has been a longtime starter at right-back, and the club brought in Alvaro Odriozola last summer. While the 23-year-old has yet to find his feet for Los Blancos, he's seen as a top talent who has already made an impact for the Spanish national team.

With Carvajal locked in as the starter and Odriozola providing great depth, Real have no need for Hakimi. They could still give the youngster another shot in the capital, or opt to cash in to strengthen other areas of the squad.

Per De Jesus, Dortmund have already made it clear they would like him to stay, and other clubs will undoubtedly be interested in his services should he come available.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has defended his side against criticism after they were held to a 2-2 draw by Club Brugge in the UEFA Champions League on Tuesday.

Zidane's side had to come back from two goals down at home to the Belgian side, and they've taken just one point from two Champions League games.

Goal's Robin Bairner, he said: "We know the situation, we're not as bad as everyone says. This is Real Madrid, it won't change because of anything I say."

Real's defending at the Santiago Bernabeu was calamitous at times during the match, and Brugge punished them twice through Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis:

The performance followed a dismal showing in their last European outing, in which they were beaten 3-0 by Paris Saint-Germain despite the French side being without Edinson Cavani, Neymar or Kylian Mbappe.

Their poor start to the Champions League campaign has left them in an unfamiliar position:

0 - Real Madrid have failed to win their opening two games to a Champions League season for the first time ever (D1 L1). Challenge. pic.twitter.com/o7Zjmau283

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) October 1, 2019

Los Blancos are bottom of Group A, five points behind the Parisians.

Managing Madrid's Kiyan Sobhani was critical of Real:

They're either marginally offside, or getting into good attacking positions. Everything else is the result of a giveaway. They nearly scored a 2nd right after their first when Casemiro took a nap on the ball, then again on multiple giveaways from Hazard, Modric, and Varane.

— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) October 1, 2019

Meanwhile, Covering Futbol noted their performances have been at odds with their domestic position:

FT Madrid 2-2 Bruges. Ramos and Casemiro headers keep Madrid from huge embarrassment, but something still badly wrong with Zidane's side [despite them topping LaLiga at moment].

— Covering Futbol (@coveringfutbol) October 1, 2019

Indeed, Real are top of La Liga and the only unbeaten side remaining in the Spanish top flight after seven matches.

They've also kept clean sheets in their last three league games after shipping five goals in their first four, despite facing away trips to Sevilla and Atletico Madrid.

Real host second-place Granada on Saturday, and Zidane is aware of the importance of the match.

"It's first against second, that means everything," he said. "We'll play against a team that's having a good season, like us. We want to play a good game, like always. We've not had much time to recover, but we're ready to play."

Despite their run of domestic clean sheets, Tuesday was a reminder that they're a team with defensive issues, while at the other end, Eden Hazard is yet to score or assist in his first five appearances.

The Belgian was the only one of Real's summer signings to play against Brugge, too. Ferland Mendy was injured, while Luka Jovic and Eder Militao were unused substitutes and Rodrygo Goes was left out of the squad.

As such, it's largely the same side that struggled throughout last season, and the only new face in the starting XI is failing to make an impact so far.

Granada will be a tough test for Los Blancos, who will soon find themselves slipping from the top of the table if they don't improve significantly.  

Real Madrid have denied reports suggesting goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is suffering from anxiety, confirming he was withdrawn at half-time in Tuesday's 2-2 draw against Club Brugge due to gastroenteritis.

Courtois, 27, was replaced by Paris Saint-Germain loanee Alphonse Areola when Real trailed 2-0 at half-time during their UEFA Champions League Group A game.

However, Real released a statement via the club's official website (h/t Robbie Dunne of AS) rejecting rumours of anxiety and outlined the following:

"1. At no point was our player diagnosed with symptoms of anxiety, and this information is absolutely false.

"2. Thibaut Courtois was diagnosed with acute gastroenteritis and dehydration along with an imbalance of electrolytes, and he couldn't finish the game on Tuesday against Brugges."

Sportswriter Andrew Gaffney broke down the statement:

Real Madrid release a statement denying reports that Courtois has been suffering from anxiety.

The club state he’s been suffering from a bout of acute gastroenteritis and this is why he couldn’t finish the match against Brugge.

He’s now responding well to the treatment. https://t.co/unKOwE8jKk

— Andrew Gaffney (@GaffneyVLC) October 4, 2019

Courtois was given Real's No. 1 jersey this summer after former starter Keylor Navas joined Paris Saint-Germain, with Areola moving in the opposite direction on temporary terms.

However, the Belgian hasn't impressed as Real would have hoped since arriving at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu, and Tuesday's first-half display didn't help his case:

Per Dunne's report, Courtois had to be driven home by his father following the result. That suggests he may not be fit in time to face Granada at home on Saturday, when Areola could make his second Liga start for the club.

Los Blancos have kept clean sheets in their last three domestic games but are yet to win in the Champions League after two matches, losing traction on runaway Group A leaders PSG. The Ligue 1 side sit on six points after two victories, while Real remain bottom with just one point.

Zinedine Zidane may have hoped to establish some clarity between the posts when Navas left the club, but Courtois' apparent illness is an unwelcome obstacle.

Courtois recently spoke to Marca and said "you have to accept this pressure" when you're a goalkeeper at Real Madrid, and that pressure doesn't seem likely to diminish for the foreseeable future.

Areola should deputise as No. 1 against Granada should Courtois not be fit to return, while Castilla goalkeeper Diego Altube could be part of a senior matchday squad for the first time.  

Real Madrid goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois has said everyone has to accept pressure in order to star at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu. 

Courtois, 27, has fallen under scrutiny following a mixed first season in Madrid and some shaky performances in this second campaign. On Tuesday, he was forced off at half-time during Real's 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw at home with Club Brugge due to a reported bout of gastroenteritis.

The stopper has since spoken to Marca and said: "If you want to be a Real Madrid goalkeeper, you have to accept this pressure."

A recent AS cover contrasted the Belgian keeper's current record against those at previous clubs—and it doesn't make for positive reading if you're a Real supporter:

Buenos días! "This is not Courtois" insists Thursday's front page, comparing the Belgian keeper's form for Madrid and his previous clubs. Between the Madrid sticks, Courtois is conceding an average of 1.37 goals per game, the worst of his career. pic.twitter.com/bgmhGCrOSj

— AS USA (@English_AS) October 3, 2019

Courtois joined Real from Chelsea in August 2018 after forcing his way out of Stamford Bridge. Competition in Madrid looked to have eased this past summer, when No. 2 Keylor Navas was sold to Paris Saint-Germain and Alphonse Areola joined Real on loan in his place.

The Belgium international kept his first clean sheets of the campaign in Real's last two league outings. Areola also kept a clean sheet in the recent 2-0 win over Osasuna (his La Liga debut).

Former Premier League midfielder Martin Allen recently said on Love Sport Radio he felt Zinedine Zidane's preference was the reason behind Courtois' half-time substitution against Brugge: 

⚪ Martin Allen doesn’t think that Zidane rates Thibaut Courtois, and that’s why he substituted him last night.#CFC #HalaMadrid

📻 Tune in - DAB
📲 Listen - https://t.co/XWhRQgRLH7 pic.twitter.com/CP7UaNYAFE

— Love Sport Radio (@lovesportradio) October 2, 2019

The Belgian visitors stunned their hosts to lead 2-0 at the break on Tuesday, and Areola did better to keep a clean sheet in the second period.

Los Blancos were beaten 3-0 away to PSG in their first game of the Champions League group, after which Navas let his former Real rival know who was in better form, per Optus Sport:

Thibaut Courtois: No clean sheets since February
Keylor Navas: 2/2 clean sheets since joining PSG

And didn't he let him know after PSG beat Real Madrid on Match day 1 of #ChampionsLeague action 😂#OptusSport pic.twitter.com/YJ30Q1NVdW

— Optus Sport (@OptusSport) September 20, 2019

Courtois has been far from the success Navas was following his first season in Spain, per FOX Soccer:

Keylor Navas or Thibaut Courtois?

Through their first 40 games at Real Madrid, it's not even close. 🧐 pic.twitter.com/kOXpkzaxBu

— FOX Soccer (@FOXSoccer) September 19, 2019

The Bernabeu is a pressure-filled environment in which not every star is designed to dazzle, and being a goalkeeper at Real in the post-Cristiano Ronaldo hasn't been an easy task for Courtois thus far.

Zidane's men return to La Liga at home to Granada on Saturday, when Courtois will hope to recover from his reported illness and reclaim his spot as No. 1.

Real Madrid midfielder Casemiro is hoping Eden Hazard can rediscover his scoring touch after the Belgian's wait for his first goal at the club continued in Los Blancos' 2-2 draw with Club Brugge on Tuesday.

Hazard scored 21 goals for Chelsea last season in what was his most prolific campaign with the club, but he's yet to find the net for Real in five appearances.  

Per Marca's Felipe Olcina, Casemiro said: "[Hazard] is trying, but football is [about] goals. We know he is among the world's top five [players], and it is normal to have a period of adaptation."

The winger missed much of pre-season and the first three games of the campaign with a hamstring injury, which perhaps explains his slow start at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Ahead of Tuesday's UEFA Champions League match, manager Zinedine Zidane said he was expecting more from him, though:

Zinedine Zidane isn't happy with what he has seen from Eden Hazard so far at Real Madrid 😬 pic.twitter.com/CJSIYcbHPi

— GOAL (@goal) October 1, 2019

Hazard struggled to make an impact as Real were held to a draw at home to the Belgian side.

Brugge went ahead after just nine minutes through Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis, and he doubled their tally before half-time when he pounced on a mistake from Luka Modric.

Sergio Ramos pulled one back 10 minutes after the break.

Ruud Vormer was sent off for a second bookable offence in the 84th minute for a challenge on Vinicius Jr., and Casemiro headed home the resulting free-kick to give the hosts a share of the spoils:

Reflecting on the performance, the Brazilian said:

"In the first half we didn't do well. I didn't see the fans leaving [the stadium] angry and in the second half they supported us a lot.

"I haven't seen them supporting us as much as today.

"We have to play like we did the second half, and we should never ask for forgiveness because we always try to do our best."

Managing Madrid's Kiyan Sobhani was not impressed with what he saw from Real:

Where to start. The defense broke down on the first goal, starting with Carvajal losing his man on the flank with some dominoes that followed. The rest of Brugge's dangerous sequences, they're finding Tau and Bonaventure who are basically playing on the shoulder of a high line

— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) October 1, 2019

It doesn't help that Hazard again looks leg-heavy, and Lucas Vazquez has been a net-negative on offense. Kroos is keeping this offense afloat but his shooting has been off.

— Kiyan Sobhani (@KiyanSo) October 1, 2019

Despite their lacklustre performances this season, Real are top of La Liga and unbeaten after seven games.

They have been exposed in Europe, though, having lost 3-0 to a Paris Saint-Germain side that did not contain Kylian Mbappe, Neymar or Edinson Cavani in their previous Champions League outing.

Hazard won't be able to help Real's struggles in midfield and defence, but if he can start having the kind of decisive impact he did so often at Chelsea, he can mitigate those issues.

Real Madrid defender Nacho will reportedly miss the next two-and-a-half months due to a knee injury. 

The 29-year-old had to be substituted at half-time in Real's 2-2 draw with Club Brugge in the UFEA Champions League on Tuesday.

According to Marca's Felipe Olcina, he was taken straight to hospital from the Santiago Bernabeu, and tests revealed a prognosis on a knee injury that will keep him sidelined for two-and-a-half months.

A Real statement explained Spaniard Nacho "has been diagnosed with an injury to his medial collateral ligament in his right knee."

Nacho is not a guaranteed starter for Real, but he is a valuable utility defender because he can play anywhere across the back four.

He had been in the starting XI at left-back for recent Brugge, Atletico Madrid and Osasuna matches due to an injury to Marcelo, who replaced Nacho at the break on Tuesday.

Summer signing Ferland Mendy is also a left-back, but he has had his own fitness issues this term.

When Nacho had to be replaced against Brugge, Real were losing 2-0 after a first-half double from Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis had shocked the Bernabeu (U.S. only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1179088578661535744

Goals from Sergio Ramos and Casemiro earned Real a point, but Zinedine Zidane's side are now in some trouble in the Champions League.

They lost 3-0 at Paris Saint-Germain in the opening round and now sit bottom of Group A.

Real now face back-to-back fixtures against Galatasaray in Europe.

If they do not claim six points from the two matches with the Turkish champions, Los Blancos will be staring down the barrel of a first-ever group-stage exit in the Champions League era. 

Zinedine Zidane has condemned the goals his Real Madrid side conceded in their 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw with Club Brugge on Tuesday as "laughable." 

Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis scored twice in the first half to give the Belgian side a shock 2-0 lead at the Santiago Bernabeu after 45 minutes.

In the lead up to both goals, Bonaventure stumbled before managing to find a way past Thibaut Courtois, who was withdrawn at half-time (U.S. only):

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1179083298712281089

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1179089101489922054

Thibaut Courtois is replaced by Alphonse Areola for the second half 👀 pic.twitter.com/wMjvHAapGP

— B/R Football (@brfootball) October 1, 2019

Luka Modric was also culpable for the second after he was robbed of the ball in his own half:

Luka Modrić’s first half vs. Club Brugge by numbers:

94% pass accuracy
1 error leading to goal
0 successful take-ons
0 chances created
0 shots on target
0 tackles won

Didn’t exactly justify his inclusion in the starting XI... 🤔 pic.twitter.com/nXfAEWmp70

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) October 1, 2019

Real salvaged a point thanks to second-half headers from Sergio Ramos and Casemiro.

Zidane was impressed with the fightback from his side, but he was critical of how they went behind in the first place, per Rodrigo Faez of ESPN FC:

"The result is bad, but the reaction is good. We cannot be happy with the first half because we produced a 45 minutes like never before. I am not happy with the point because we wanted three, but I did like the reaction. The two goals we conceded were laughable. We weren't concentrating where the opponents are at their strongest. They scored the first goal, they went forward, and then scored the second. I insist we cannot be happy, but you always have to think about the positives."

On Courtois, Zidane added he was "in a bad way and could not continue for the second half," and he defended his No. 1 goalkeeper, saying "I am the main culprit."

Real lost their opening match of the 2019-20 UEFA Champions League 3-0 to Paris Saint-Germain, who won 1-0 away at Galatasaray on Tuesday.

As a result, Los Blancos sit bottom of Group A and need to turn their European form around if they are to advance to the knockout stages.

Their next Champions League match against Galatasaray in Istanbul on October 22 is now a must-win game for Zidane's side.

After winning the tournament three seasons in a row between 2016 and 2018, Real were knocked out last term by eventual semi-finalists Ajax.

That was disappointing, but a group-stage exit would be unacceptable for a club defined by their European success, and Zidane needs to turn his side's form around in the Champions League or his job might be under threat.   

Real Madrid are yet to win in Group A of the 2019/20 UEFA Champions League after coming back from two goals down to draw 2-2 with Club Brugge on Tuesday.  

Emmanuel Bonaventure Dennis scored twice to give the visitors a shock lead before Real goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois was withdrawn at the break.

Sergio Ramos got one back after a look from VAR, and Brugge midfielder Ruud Vormer was sent off for two yellow cards before Casemiro headed in an 85th-minute equaliser.

The stalemate at the Santiago Bernabeu leaves Los Blancos on just a single point after two matches, following the 3-0 defeat away to Paris Saint-Germain last time out.

Sluggish Real were punished as early as the ninth minute when Bonaventure capped a swift break with an unorthodox finish.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1179083298712281089

The goal was only confirmed after lengthy intervention from VAR showed Sergio Ramos playing the goalscorer onside. Ramos's return was supposed to fortify the Real back four, but confusion and nerves were common in front of goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois early on.

Brugge's front three of Bonaventure, Krepin Diatta and Percy Tau were causing all sorts of problems with their pace and perceptive movement. Midfielders like Hans Vanaken weren't hesitating to release this trio in behind with quick and direct passing.

Real were mustering little going forward, but former Liverpool stopper Simon Mignolet was still needed to make a superb save to deny Raphael Varane and keep the visitors in front. The home side also went close when Toni Kroos dragged a shot wide from inside the box.

In general though, Real were pedestrian going forward. It didn't help summer import Eden Hazard was still struggling to impose the same kind of influence he once regularly displayed for Chelsea.

Ponderous play in attack was punished when Brugge broke again on 39 minutes. An errant pass from an off-the-pace Luka Modric sent Bonaventure clear and he beat Courtois easily despite a stumble:

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1179088578661535744

Being two down at the break prompted Zidane into decisive action. He brought on Marcelo for makeshift left-back Nacho and, to the surprise of many, hooked the struggling Courtois for Alphonse Areola:

Courtois subbed at half-time. pic.twitter.com/LMvguL0npj

— Paddy Power (@paddypower) October 1, 2019

Has Zidane actually subbed Courtois when he’s not injured? The specific booing of him was typical of Madrid fans. Hardly ever the definition of supportive.

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 1, 2019

The substitution looked an inspired one when Areola made a splendid stop to deny Bonaventure a hat-trick. It proved a pivotal moment because Ramos had halved the deficit 10 minutes after the restart.

VAR was needed again, but the fine margins went Real's way:

Sergio Ramos was mighty close to being offside 😲 pic.twitter.com/bpPBu2fBVN

— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) October 1, 2019

However, not everybody, including Kieran Cannig of Agence France Presse, was convinced by the decision:

Imagine thinking Real Madrid couldn't doctor VAR images in the Champions League

— Kieran Canning (@KieranCanning) October 1, 2019

Either way, the goal stood and Real were in the ascendancy. Hazard was becoming more involved, while Kroos and Modric were making more purposeful runs from midfield.

The latter blazed over when he should have squared for Benzema, with Brugge hanging on. Zidane also introduced Vinicius Junior's pace for the disappointing Lucas Vazquez.

The Brazilian had Real primed to complete the comeback after drawing a foul from Vormer that led to a second booking and the 31-year-old's dismissal after an earlier foul on Hazard.

Real wasted no time making their advantage count, with Kroos guiding a corner onto the head of Casemiro.

https://twitter.com/brlive/status/1179105064625065985

Karim Benzema might have won it when he beat Mignolet to a header, but Brugge held on to condemn Real to a run of three home games without a win in European competition. 

   

What's Next?

Real host Granada in La Liga on Saturday, while Brugge are at home to Gent in domestic action on Sunday.

Eden Hazard has said he knows he has to improve at Real Madrid after a slow start to the season, but he added the criticisms he has received "don't bother me."

The Belgian signed for Real from Chelsea for €100 million (£88.5 million) in the summer in order to, at least partially, fill the gap in the front line left by Cristiano Ronaldo's departure last summer.

Hazard missed the start of the 2019-20 campaign due to a thigh injury, but he has now played a part in four of Real's last five matches in all competitions.

And, for a player that starred in the Premier League last term, he has been underwhelming, netting no goals and providing no assists so far:

Eden Hazard for Chelsea in the 2018/2019 Premier League:

most successful take-ons (137)
most chances created (98)
most shots taken (93)
most assists (16)
most goals (15)

Absolutely ran the show. 🇧🇪🇧🇪🇧🇪 pic.twitter.com/4r1tlJIWFq

— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) June 19, 2019

Hazard was again ineffective in Real's 0-0 draw at Atletico Madrid on Saturday, and he has acknowledged he must do better, per El Mundo Deportivo (h/t Football Espana):

"The criticisms don't bother me. It's me who has to prove my level on the pitch. They know my level and I have to improve so they are proud of me. I feel good. It's true that they expect a lot from me and me too. I can do better. The criticisms are normal. Not everything is perfect but we are already top of the league.

"I had a setback with the injury, but I feel 100 percent because I am recovered. I need to be decisive, score goals. When I start scoring everything will be easier. It is not a matter of trust. The boss tells me to try more and it is I who have to give everything. I already feel good and I have to take a step forward to continue making differences."

Despite some suspect performances this term, most notably in their 3-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, Zinedine Zidane's side have yet to be beaten in La Liga.

As a result, they sit atop the Spanish top-flight table by one point, a fairly impressive achievement given they have been some way from their best:

A good weekend for your team? 👍👎#LaLigaSantander pic.twitter.com/W3Y6IGAJcz

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) September 29, 2019

Hazard's lack of form will become a concern if it goes on for much longer, but if he can rediscover his goalscoring touch soon, he could help Real firmly establish themselves as the front-runners for the 2019-20 La Liga title.

A point away at Atleti is not a bad result, and Real now face the newly promoted duo of Granada and Mallorca in the league before the first Clasico of the season at Barcelona on October 26.

Granada are not to be taken lightly as they sit just a point back from Real in the table and have already beaten Barca this season. Mallorca, meanwhile, have not won since the opening day of the term.

Hazard will look to open his account for Real in one of their upcoming matches as he looks to find some form before Los Blancos visit the Camp Nou. 

Real Madrid will look to earn their first UEFA Champions League win of the season on Tuesday when they take on Club Brugge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

Los Blancos were dispatched 3-0 in their last European outing by a Paris Saint-Germain side that did not contain Neymar, Kylian Mbappe or Edinson Cavani.

As for their opponents, Brugge drew 0-0 with Galatasaray in their first group match.

               

Date: Tuesday, October 1

Time: 5:55 p.m. BST/12:55 p.m. ET

TV: BT Sport 1 (UK), TNT USA

Live Stream: BT Sport Live (UK), B/R Live (USA), Watch TNT (USA)

Odds: Real Madrid (11-50), Draw (28-5), Club Brugge (12-1)

Odds courtesy of Caesars.

               

Real have been the kings of Europe under Zidane, who has won the Champions League in every campaign he's participated in as a manager.

After three consecutive trophies under the Frenchman, Real failed to make it past the round of 16 last season, prior to Zidane's return.

Los Blancos made it out of their group despite losing twice to CSKA Moscow, but eventual semi-finalists Ajax proved too much for them as the Dutch side ran out 4-1 winners at the Bernabeu in the second leg of their tie.

Real's defeat to PSG last time out was another reminder that the team's dominance in Europe is over.

They've looked stronger in the weeks since the PSG loss, though, particularly at the back as sports writer and commentator Andy West noted after their 0-0 draw with Atletico Madrid on Saturday:

Notable stat: zero shots on target for Atlético. Third game in a row Real Madrid haven't allowed their opponents a single effort on goal. Impressive turnaround after the shambles in Paris, looks like that game focused some minds.

— Andy West (@andywest01) September 28, 2019

Sergio Ramos, who was suspended against the Parisians, will also be available on Tuesday.

Real will be hoping for an improved showing from summer signing Eden Hazard, though. Managing Madrid's Lucas Navarrete was critical of the Belgian's showing against Atletico:

Hazard has been painful to watch tonight. Atrocious performance so far.

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) September 28, 2019

He's yet to find the net for Los Blancos and did not even manage an effort on goal in the derby.

Although Real should be more than capable of seeing off Club Brugge, an improved performance from Hazard and their other attackers would be useful.

The Belgian side kept a clean sheet against Galatasaray in their first group game, while in their domestic league they've shipped just three goals in eight matches.

Brugge also come into the game on the back of a 5-0 away win over Mechelen, so they'll be full of confidence and can make life difficult for Los Blancos if the Spanish side are not at their best.