Real Madrid

New Real Madrid signing Reinier Jesus has said he's "living a childhood dream" after the Brazil under-23 international was officially unveiled at the Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on Tuesday. 

Los Blancos announced on January 20 that a deal had been struck to sign the attacking midfielder from Flamengo following his involvement with Brazil at this year's under-23 Pre-Olympic Tournament.

The 18-year-old rubber-stamped his move on Tuesday and said at a press conference (h/t Marca): "I am living a childhood dream, I want to be part of the great history at this club. Today is a day of great happiness for me. Hala Madrid!"

Reinier struggled to hold back his emotions and described the transfer as a "dream come true," joining a growing contingent of young Brazilian talent at the Bernabeu:

🔴💬 LIVE: @ReinierJesus_19's first @realmadrid press conference! #WelcomeReinier | #HalaMadrid https://t.co/sJa4ZZfTMA

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 18, 2020

Vinicius Jr. and Rodrygo, both 19, are already established among Real's first-team ranks following moves from Flamengo and Santos, respectively, in the past two summer transfer windows.

AS confirmed Real will pay an initial €30 million (£24.9 million) for their latest acquisition, plus another €5 million (£4.1 million) in add-ons.

Los Blancos shared a video of Reinier's career highlights to date after announcing his capture in January, having scored six goals and recorded two assists in 15 senior appearances for Flamengo:

The teenager quickly ascended to become one of the most coveted talents in the Brasileiro Serie A in 2019, making his senior debut for Flamengo one year after former club-mate Vinicius was presented at Real.

The countrymen promise to form a fine attacking partnership for years to come at the Bernabeu provided all goes to plan for Zinedine Zidane, though Reinier is expected to begin his Real career in the Castilla side.

Vinicius and Rodrygo were first granted first-team chances at Real largely out of necessity. Commentator Mark Brown spoke to Premier Sports in late January about the precarious nature of settling into such pressurised surroundings:

⚪ 🇧🇷 Following Real Madrid's signing of their latest Brazilian wonderkid - Reinier

🗣 @MarkBrownbcn discusses the difficulties these young players are faced with & the different routes into the first team

📺 Watch LaLiga TV now | Free on Sky until 29th Jan (Ch 435) pic.twitter.com/MYBvoZFFHr

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 23, 2020

Reinier was in attendance when Real drew 2-2 at home to Celta Vigo in disappointing circumstances on Sunday, the kind of result he'll hope to improve upon when he begins to have an impact.

Los Blancos completed Reinier's signing just two days after his 18th birthday, with time on his hands to emulate fellow Brazilian Real alumni such as Kaka, Ronaldo, Robinho and more.

Eden Hazard provided a positive update on his fitness after he made his first Real Madrid appearance since November on Sunday.

Hazard played for 73 minutes in Real's 2-2 La Liga draw with Celta Vigo having been absent since November 26 when he suffered a microfracture in his ankle against Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League.

"I felt good," he said, per Marca's Pablo Polo. "The first 10 minutes I was tired, but as the minutes went by I felt fine. I'm happy with my performance, but not with the result. I hope we'll improve in the next few games."

Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane was also pleased with Hazard on his return, per Goal: "I'm very happy with the return of Hazard, that he's back with us, he's played 70 minutes very well."

So too was goalkeeper and Belgian compatriot Thibaut Courtois:

🗣 Thibaut Courtois: “Little by little, Hazard will catch up again after three months out.

"He is a player who is worth a lot to us. We must try to work well."

💪 pic.twitter.com/EDq7E7COsn

— GOAL (@goal) February 17, 2020

Real fell behind to Fyodor Smolov's seventh-minute opener on Sunday, and Santi Mina provided a late equaliser for Celta after Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos had fired Real in front.

Hazard drew a foul from Celta 'keeper Ruben Blanco to win the penalty:

It was only the 29-year-old's ninth game in La Liga this season, but he excels at winning spot-kicks for his side:

3 - No other player has won more penalties than Real Madrid’s Eden Hazard in @LaLigaEN this season (three, level with Nabil Fekir). Danger. pic.twitter.com/KThu88mrsI

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 16, 2020

He also created three chances during the match, more than anyone else on either side, according to Goal.

ESPN FC's Alex Kirkland thought it was a fine performance from the winger, particularly given his lengthy spell on the sidelines:

Hazard was good tonight. Surprisingly sharp after almost 3 months out. Otherwise: two points dropped for RM, undone by defensive lapses in concentration and a glorious bit of play by Denis Suárez (yes you read that right Arsenal fans)

— Alex Kirkland (@alexkirkland) February 16, 2020

His return has come just in time for Real, who have some key fixtures rapidly approaching.

After a trip to Levante on Saturday, Los Blancos play Manchester City on February 26 in the first leg of their UEFA Champions League last-16 tie.

The Champions League will perhaps take on added importance for the Sky Blues this season. The Premier League title looks well beyond them with Liverpool 25 points clear, and they're banned from European competition for the next two seasons.

On March 1, Real face Barcelona at the Santiago Bernabeu in the second Clasico of the campaign. Madrid's draw with Celta means the Blaugrana are just one point behind in La Liga with 14 games remaining.  

Real Madrid moved a point clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga despite being held to a 2-2 draw at home by relegation-threatened Celta Vigo on Sunday. 

Santi Mina's 85th-minute equaliser cancelled out a comeback from Los Blancos after Toni Kroos and Sergio Ramos had found the net. The latter scored from the penalty spot when the returning Eden Hazard won a foul in the box.

Kroos and Ramos brought the leaders back after Fedor Smolov had given Celta a shock early edge at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The stalemate in the Spanish capital was enough to move Celta above Mallorca and out of the bottom three.

Celta may be struggling, but the visitors can always count on Iago Aspas for inspiration. The cerebral forward was in the mood early, showcasing neat touches and deft flicks.

One of Aspas' best touches saw Celta's skipper tee up Smolov to leave Real stunned in the seventh minute. It was a classic case of history repeating itself for the Galician club:

1 - Fedor Smolov is the first Russian player to score at Santiago Bernabéu in @LaLigaEN since Alexandr Mostovoi in May 2003, scoring both for Celta de Vigo. Legacy. pic.twitter.com/yPdfuJbSqF

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 16, 2020

The home side's initial response was meagre, with defensive midfielder Casemiro getting his head to a Hazard corner. Casemiro was ironically becoming Real's biggest threat going forward, blasting a shot over the bar after being played in by Gareth Bale.

Casemiro's involvement in the final third only emphasised how little influence the hosts' primary attackers were exerting. Karim Benzema appeared ready to respond to the challenge, but he couldn't get his shot off after beating Celta markers to Dani Carvajal's cross.

Bale and Marcelo also failed to find their range from distance, while Ramos fluffed his lines from close range during what was proving to be a frustrating half for the league leaders.

Ramos arrives at back post. Kicks ball into own face. Been one of those nights for Madrid so far.

— Tom Woods (@woodstome) February 16, 2020

It should have been 2-0 a minute before the break, but Aspas inexplicably headed wide from inside the box. Celta's main man had been afforded too much time and space in the area by a Real defence as sluggish as the team's forward line.

The lone bright spot for Los Merengues came from Hazard's performance. His debut season in Spain has been blighted by injury, but the Belgian winger was impressive on his return from a lengthy absence after an ankle injury:

Hazard looking very sharp in first 45 mins for 3 months. Double [48-24] touches of Bale, and working much better with Benzema.

— Dermot Corrigan (@dermotmcorrigan) February 16, 2020

Real appeared to be floundering but needed just seven minutes of the second half to draw level. Marcelo was at the heart of the move, picking out Kroos so the midfielder could finish smartly.

Kroos is usually defined by his creativity, but the Germany international has been showcasing a keen eye for goal this season:

Toni Kroos has now scored five goals across all competitions in 2019/20, his joint-best single-season tally for Los Blancos.

Pure technique. 🎯 pic.twitter.com/ibsdGMjuvD

— Squawka (@Squawka) February 16, 2020

While Kroos had found the finishing touch, Hazard was still proving a constant menace. His quick, clever feet won a penalty when Ruben Blanco was drawn into a reckless challenge four minutes after the hour mark.

Ramos coolly tucked away the penalty to give Real their first lead of the day. His knack for finding the net has served Los Blancos well down the years:

Sergio Ramos' best scoring seasons in LaLiga:

2016/17: 7 goals
2018/19: 6 goals
2019/20: 5 goals*
2007/08: 5 goals
2006/07: 5 goals

On track for a new record. pic.twitter.com/nQUtbyUM8z

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) February 16, 2020

The goal should have been enough for Real to earn another win, but the profligacy up front meant the points weren't safe headed into the final five minutes. Celta made Real pay when former Barcelona playmaker Denis Suarez threaded a smart pass into the path of Mina, who made no mistake.

Benzema went close twice late on, but his wayward efforts epitomised a below-par day for Zidane Zinedine's primary goal-getters. Dropping two points in a winnable home fixture has returned momentum to Barca in the title race.

Meanwhile, Celta must take earning a result here as proof this squad has too much quality to go down.

       

What's Next?

Real are away to Levante on Saturday, while Celta will host Leganes earlier the same day.

Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane has confirmed that Eden Hazard is ready to make his return to action following an injury layoff.

Hazard fractured his ankle for Los Blancos in November in the 2-2 draw with Paris Saint-Germain in the UEFA Champions League. The spell on the sidelines has added to what has been a frustrating debut term at the Santiago Bernabeu for the winger.

However, Zidane confirmed on Saturday that the forward is ready to feature in Sunday's clash with Celta Vigo in La Liga, per Tom Webber of Goal:

"We all know how important Hazard is and that's why we signed him. He's a great player. We're very happy he's back with the group.

"He hasn't played for three months and it's not easy. It will also depend on the game and the rhythm but physically he's absolutely fit and available to be with us. We know how much he can help us. It was tough not having him for almost three months due to injury. He's also very happy to be back.

"It's true we have to take it easy, we should give him time, and that's what we did to make sure he's 100 per cent fit when he is back. He is ready to play tomorrow."

Per Alex Kirkland of The Spanish Football Podcast, the 29-year-old has been taking part in training ahead of the game:

Real Madrid training ahead of the Celta Vigo game tomorrow. Big question: whether Eden Hazard finally gets some minutes... pic.twitter.com/bxyNsF1tHF

— Alex Kirkland (@alexkirkland) February 15, 2020

Hazard arrived in the Spanish capital to much excitement in the summer, having cemented a reputation as one of the best players in the world during his time at Chelsea.

However, he's only been able to showcase flashes of his brilliance in the all-white of Madrid. The Belgium captain's start to the season was disrupted by injuries, and he missed the entire Christmas period because of the ankle issue.

As a result, he's only made 13 appearances for Madrid so far, netting just the solitary goal.

Manager Zinedine Zidane would have expected to lean a lot on Hazard's productivity this season, but he's benefitted from a number of different players chipping in throughout the campaign:

That's now 19 different goalscorers for Real Madrid this season.
Benzema, Rodrygo, Ramos, Modric, Casemiro, Kroos, Bale, Varane, Vinícius, Fede Valverde, Brahim, Carvajal, Isco, Hazard, Lucas Vázquez, James Rodríguez, Jović, Nacho, Marcelo.

— Euan McTear (@emctear) February 6, 2020

If Hazard can get up to speed again quickly, he will be a major asset to the Madrid side as they gear up for a crucial spell of the campaign.

Los Blancos start the La Liga weekend three points clear of rivals Barcelona at the top of the table. They also remain in contention for the UEFA Champions League, although they face a huge challenge in the last 16 of the competition when they take on Manchester City.

Real Madrid winger Vinicius Jr. has said he wants to follow in the footsteps of Manchester City star Raheem Sterling by adding more goals to his game.

The Brazilian arrived at Madrid in the summer of 2018, and he was able to break into the Los Blancos senior side last season. This term, he's been called upon frequently by manager Zinedine Zidane, making 23 appearances in all competitions and scoring three goals.

Although he still has a lot of developing to do, the 19-year-old will want to be more productive in the final third.

The winger said he wants to emulate Sterling, who has added a goalscoring edge to his play at the Etihad Stadium, per Esporte Interativo (h/t Peter Lynch of Goal):

"When I played in the youth categories, I was used to scoring a lot of goals, but in professional football, I'm playing further from the goal and it’s harder to score. But I am only 19 years old, I'm getting better.

"Karim [Benzema] and all the players who are always scoring try to help. When I start to score, I'll score a lot of goals, just like every winger here. 

"Sterling for me is an example. At my age, he played just like me and didn't score too many goals, and this season he has already scored a lot. Last season, he scored even more."

Premier Sports provided an example of what the winger is capable of producing when he gets into the final third:

Vinícius Júnior has been named on the shortlist for the 2019 Golden Boy Award 🏆

The Real Madrid young star's first LaLiga goal of the season was special 🙌 pic.twitter.com/yw7S0jkLAJ

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) October 15, 2019

Vinicius has not yet been able to establish himself as a bonafide starter at the Santiago Bernabeu. There's no doubt that chipping in with goals would improve his chances under Zidane.

Spanish football writer Euan McTear said the youngster put in a brilliant performance in the 4-3 loss to Real Sociedad in the Copa del Rey quarter-final and added he's been unfortunate in his bid to convert more chances at times, too:

Even though Real Madrid lost, this felt like a big night for Vinícius. He was absolutely everywhere in the final few minutes. Winning the ball. Running forward. Gesturing for the crowd to get behind the team.

— Euan McTear (@emctear) February 6, 2020

Vinícius and goals just don't go together this season. Even VAR is denying him now.

— Euan McTear (@emctear) February 6, 2020

Vinicius has still been able to make a big impact in high-profile games. Coming off the bench in the derby with Atletico Madrid on February 1, he was able to help Los Blancos unpick the opposition defence:

45 - Vinícius Júnior in his 45 minutes against Atlético de Madrid:

2 shots on target - 1st of match
1 second assist
10/11 passes completed (91%)
66,7% duels won (4/6) - 1st of match
4 fouls won - 1st of match

Critical. pic.twitter.com/PYfseom1z2

— OptaJose (@OptaJose) February 1, 2020

Although Sterling is on a poor run in front of goal—the 25-year-old hasn't netted in his last seven outings—his prolific performances helped City win the title in the previous two seasons, in which he netted a combined 35 goals.

Vinicius has all the attributes needed to become that kind of influential winger, and time is still on his side. With the likes of Isco, Gareth Bale and Rodrygo Goes competing for minutes in the wide positions, it's crucial the Brazilian adds another facet to his game.

Real Madrid will attempt to consolidate their place at the top of La Liga on Sunday when they welcome Celta Vigo to the Santiago Bernabeu Stadium.

Los Blancos will be 15 games unbeaten in the Spanish top-flight if they avoid defeat in the capital.

Celta sit just above the relegation zone after winning only four matches this season.

            

Date: Sunday, Feb. 16

Time: 9 p.m. local, 8 p.m. GMT, 3 p.m ET

TV: beIN Sports (USA)

Stream: Premier Player, LaLigaTV, beIN Connect

Odds: Madrid: 27-100, Celta: 47-5, draw: 5-1 (via Caesars Palace)

            

Preview

Eden Hazard's protracted start to life at the Bernabeu might be about to receive a second wind, with the Belgian closing in on full fitness.

The former Chelsea superstar has been sidelined with an ankle injury for two months, but Zinedine Zidane could name the player in Sunday's squad.

Jonathan Meaney of AS reported Hazard trained as normal on Friday in preparation for Celta's visit, and Zidane must now decide how quickly to reintegrate the attacker into the starting lineup.

The 29-year-old has just one goal and one assist from eight La Liga appearances, but he will be rejoining a side high on confidence.

Madrid are famous for their attacking intent. However, Zidane's lineup has been built through defensive strength this season.

Real have conceded a mere 14 goals in La Liga compared to Barcelona's 28. The Blaugrana are conceding more than a goal a game, but their Clasico rivals are as solid as a rock.

However, Celta have a surprisingly good record in the league at the Bernabeu. The Sky Blues have won six and drawn seven times at Real's home over the years.

Oscar Garcia Junyent took over in November after Fran Escriba's sacking, and relegation is a genuine threat for a side who have progressively fallen down La Liga after finishing sixth in 2015-16.

Although they have failed to match the underdog endeavour of previous Celta teams, a surprise 2-1 defeat of Sevilla last time out was a welcome three points.

Iago Aspas remains Celta's ray of light. After falling a goal behind against Sevilla, the striker equalised with just 12 minutes to go before Pione Sisto bagged a winner in the first minute of injury time.

The 32-year-old will pose the greatest threat for the visitors—alongside loan signing Fedor Smolov—and Zidane will keep one eye on the Spain international as he hunts his ninth goal of the season.

If Hazard even makes it on to the bench, the forward will steal the limelight, but a Celta win would represent the shock of the season.

Junyent will be aware his side might struggle to score against Sergio Ramos and his defensive team-mates. However, it won't be the results against the top-four that determine if Celta stay in the top division.

Ajax midfielder Donny van de Beek has played down reports he has agreed to join Real Madrid. 

Ahead of the current campaign, there was plenty of speculation regarding the Dutchman's future, with Los Blancos said to be among the clubs keen to acquire his services. Speculation was ramped up again in January.

However, Van de Beek is adamant negotiations are not that far advanced, per reports cited by Sport (h/t Football Espana).

"It makes no sense," noted the 22-year-old. "I can't control what people say. I think it is premature. I have often said: I will not hurry; I am fine here. If it happens, it happens."

According to De Telegraaf, personal terms were agreed between Van de Beek and Madrid last summer, with the two clubs settling on a €55 million (£45.7 million) sum to get the deal done.

Van de Beek rose to prominence last term as part of Ajax's brilliant run in the UEFA Champions League. The midfielder netted crucial goals in away wins over Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur, with the Dutch side progressing to the semi-finals of the competition.

A number of key players moved on last summer, including Matthijs de Ligt and Frenkie de Jong to Juventus and Barcelona respectively. It was confirmed on Thursday that Hakim Ziyech will make a move to Chelsea at the end of the campaign too.

Van de Beek will be expected to follow those big names out of the door, given he is establishing a reputation as one of the most effective attacking midfielders in European football.

The Dutch Football Twitter account detailed the high-profile transfers expected to happen this summer:

Sergino Dest to Bayern Munich
Hakim Ziyech to Chelsea
Donny van de Beek to Real Madrid

Three major departures already on the cards this summer for Ajax.

— Dutch Football 🇳🇱 (@FootballOranje_) February 12, 2020

In the swashbuckling Ajax team of 2018-19, Van de Beek offered something a little different to other midfielders in the squad.

The team was based on refined movement and technical skill in possession. While the midfielder is a capable passer, his game is centred around breaking lines to get into dangerous areas.

Van de Beek frequently gets into goalscoring positions untracked and is a smart finisher:

Donny Van de Beek in the Eredivisie and Champions League since the start of 2017/18:

✕ 101 games
✕ 31 goals
✕ 23 assists

A man of many talents, but one 'goal face'. 浪 pic.twitter.com/5b9UsubyOV

— Squawka Football (@Squawka) January 8, 2020

The Ajax man is on 10 goals for the current season, with his ninth coming in the recent victory over Sparta Rotterdam:

⚪🔴 Donny van de Beek slots home to put Ajax in front!

🔥 That's a 9⃣th goal of the season for the in-demand 22-year-old pic.twitter.com/zMr8drFexl

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) January 19, 2020

Madrid have a high-class crop of midfielders on their books currently, with Fede Valverde providing serious competition to the world-class trio of Luka Modric, Toni Kroos and Casemiro this season. 

Van de Beek's attacking instincts and nose for goals would give the team something different. If Madrid can get this over the line, he would be a savvy acquisition.

Real Madrid captain Sergio Ramos is an "anomaly" because of the amount of goals he has scored from centre-back, according to Los Blancos legend Fernando Hierro. 

Hierro played variously as a sweeper and central defender during his glittering career.

Between 1989 and 2003, he won five La Liga titles with Real, as well as three UEFA Champions Leagues, and he scored a quite remarkable 102 goals in 439 league appearances for the Madrid giants.

Ramos, 33, netted his 63rd La Liga goal for Real in his 440th appearance against Osasuna on Sunday to continue his own phenomenal scoring run:

🙌💪 Yesterday's appearance against @CAOsasuna was @SergioRamos' 440th for us in LaLiga, taking the captain above Fernando Hierro and up to FIFTH on the list of @realmadrid players with most appearances in the competition! #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/FTeEboIRJc

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) February 10, 2020

90 goals in all competitions for Real Madrid 😘⚪️ @SergioRamos pic.twitter.com/2rhLZfkDyq

— B/R Football (@brfootball) February 9, 2020

2004⚽️✅
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🇪🇸@SergioRamos has a @LaLiga goal in each of the last 17 years😘

@viniciusjr was 3 the last time it didn't happen😳 pic.twitter.com/dYgFJ1AqMS

— FIFA (@FIFAcom) February 9, 2020

Hierro said in the wake of Real's 4-1 away victory that Ramos' goalscoring record is particularly remarkable due to the era in which he plays, per La Liga (h/t Goal's Dejan Kalinic): 

"Sergio Ramos is absolutely remarkable. Years ago we defenders had more chances to score, we'd often play in midfield. But in today's day and age, in the 21st century, Sergio is extraordinary. [Gerard] Pique scores quite a few goals too, but Sergio really is an anomaly. His goalscoring record for Real Madrid and the national team is remarkable."

Not only does Ramos score much more frequently than the average central defender, he has a knack for coming up with important goals for Real.

His close-range header in Pamplona put Los Blancos 2-1 ahead seven minutes before half-time after Isco had cancelled out the opener from Osasuna's Unai Garcia.

The scoreline paints a picture of a comfortable day's work for Real, but things were not going their way until Isco and Ramos scored within five minutes of each other to turn the game on its head.

Even in the second half, Osasuna threatened to take some points off the league leaders until Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic found the net in the final 10 minutes.

The victory briefly moved Real six points clear of Barcelona at the top of La Liga, but the Blaugrana then launched their own comeback victory at Real Betis:

✅ Matchday 23!

🤔 Where is your team in #LaLigaSantander Standings now? pic.twitter.com/CoNMlVJ5uV

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 9, 2020

The two sides meet for a potentially season-defining Clasico at the Santiago Bernabeu on March 1.

Before then, Ramos and Real play Celta Vigo and Levante in La Liga, as well as the first leg of their Champions League last-16 tie against Manchester City. 

Eden Hazard is reportedly set to make his long-awaited return to first-team action from an ankle injury in Sunday's La Liga clash with Celta Vigo at the Santiago Bernabeu.

The Belgium international has been sidelined since November's 2-2 UEFA Champions League draw with Paris Saint-Germain but is expected to be included in the squad for Sunday's match, according to Marca's Juan Ignacio Garcia-Ochoa.

Manager Zinedine Zidane does not want to take any risks with Hazard but could start him on the bench and bring him on in the second half, per the report.

The 29-year-old joined Real Madrid from Chelsea in summer 2019 but has seen his time in the Spanish capital disrupted by injury. The Belgium international has made just seven La Liga starts and has scored just once for Los Blancos.

He returned to training after suffering a hairline fracture in his foot at the end of January but is still waiting to make his first appearance of 2020:

👀👟⚽ @hazardeden10#RMCity | #HalaMadrid pic.twitter.com/GivyxhiqND

— Real Madrid C.F. 🇬🇧🇺🇸 (@realmadriden) January 23, 2020

Real Madrid have coped well without their summer signing. Zidane's men have leapfrogged Barcelona in La Liga and are currently three points clear at the top of the table.

The club are also on a strong run of form and are unbeaten in the league since going down 1-0 to Real Mallorca in October:

👊 14 games unbeaten in #LaLigaSantander! 👊

⚪️ This is the power of @realmadriden! ⚪️ pic.twitter.com/ivlsZQ5TvO

— LALIGA English (@LaLigaEN) February 10, 2020

Zidane left Hazard out of his squad for Sunday's 4-1 win over Osasuna and explained why in his post-match press conference.

"It's something we agreed on together. Today wasn't the right time [for Hazard to return from injury] and this week we'll see. He's going to need this week, which is going to be a long week [of training, with Real Madrid not back in action until next Sunday]. Hopefully we'll see him back next week."

Yet Real Madrid will want to see Hazard return soon with some crucial fixtures on the horizon. The club play Celta Vigo and Levante in La Liga and then take on Manchester City in the UEFA Champions League last 16.

The club also face a top-of-the-table clash with Barcelona at the start of March, a game which could go some way to deciding the destination of the 2019-20 title.

Zidane does have plenty of other attacking options in his squad with Karim Benzema, Gareth Bale, Lucas Vazquez, Vinicius Junior, Rodrygo and Luka Jovic all fit and available.

However, the return of Hazard would be an additional boost to the team and increase their chances of glory in La Liga and the Champions League as they approach the business end of the season.

Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane has called on Isco to get on the scoresheet more often after he bagged his first league goal of the season on Sunday.

Isco found the back of the net in Real's 4-1 win over Osasuna in La Liga.

Per Goal's Dejan Kalinic, Zidane said of the playmaker:

"I don't think anything has changed. Isco's an important player in this squad. 

"He's a player that always gives everything when he plays. He's a good footballer. I like the way he plays. He's technical and skilful. He's very important for us.

"He had a brilliant game like everyone else, but above all I am happy about his goal, because he needs to score more goals."

The Spaniard equalised for Los Blancos after they fell behind early on to an Unai Garcia diving header:

⚪ A sweet volley from Isco brings Real Madrid level!

👏 It's been an excellent first half so far at El Sadar pic.twitter.com/kOtKyvyUJb

— Premier Sports (@PremSportsTV) February 9, 2020

Sergio Ramos put Real ahead before the break, while Lucas Vazquez and Luka Jovic got on the scoresheet late on to make sure of the three points.

Managing Madrid's Matt Wiltse and Lucas Navarrete both singled out Isco for praise:

Luka Modrić and Isco with top, top performances.

Will be vital to Madrid’s chances vs Manchester City if they can consistently produce that type of form.

— Matt (@MattW_MM) February 9, 2020

Isco #MOTM

— Lucas Navarrete (@LucasNavarreteM) February 9, 2020

His strike was one of two shots he had on target—no one else on the pitch hit the target more than once—and he also played one key pass, two accurate through balls, completed three dribbles and drew two fouls, per WhoScored.com.

It was Isco's 20th appearance of the season and his 13th start in all competitions, but it was just his second goal. His only other strike came in the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Valencia.

Cristiano Ronaldo's 2018 departure to Juventus left Real with a shortfall in goals, having averaged 50 per season in all competitions during his time at the Bernabeu.

They scored just 68 in La Liga last season—their lowest tally since 2001-02—and although they are on course to surpass that this time around, they have found the net 11 times fewer than Barcelona.

Los Blancos splashed out a combined €165 million on initial fees alone last summer for Eden Hazard and Luka Jovic, but the pair have yet to make a meaningful contribution in terms of goals.

Injury has limited the former to 13 appearances, in which he's scored once, while the latter has struggled to settle, and his strike against Osasuna was only his second of the season in 23 appearances.

With Ronaldo gone, Real need to collectively improve their goalscoring, as there isn't one player who can replicate the Portugal superstar's return.

Isco netted 12 in his final season with Malaga before joining Real Madrid, but he's yet to be as prolific at the Santiago Bernabeu. He has reached double figures twice, but he hasn't done so since scoring 11 goals in the 2016-17 campaign.

He will be 28 in April and should be operating at his peak. At the very least, Real could do with him finding the net more until Jovic and Hazard are able to pick up the slack.