Ancelotti hints at Hazard return, says Barcelona no longer Madrid’s direct rival

Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has confirmed that Eden Hazard would be in action when Los Blancos welcome Cardiz to the Santiago Bernabeu on Sunday.

The former Milan manager who will be without the services of six of his players namely Marcelo, Luka Modric, Andriy Lunin, Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale and Rodrygo due to COVID-19, and Isco another doubt.

Confirmed that the former Chelsea winger would be in action as he is now ready to play.

“It is true that we have had setbacks but those who have tested positive are fine and the rest are ready to play tomorrow’s game,” Ancelotti continued.

“After the first positive tests, the [rest] all tested negative and we are determined to play. We have to live with it just as society is doing. This virus is less strong than before and we have to keep in mind that we have to take care of ourselves and follow all precautions.

“Hazard starts tomorrow. He wants motivation and he’s going to play because he trained well and deserves it. He is always well. The problem is that he has not always been able to train 100 per cent and I think that tomorrow he will play a good game.

“Hazard is prepared. It is clear that in the first part of the season he had the competition of [Karim] Benzema and Vinicius [Junior] and now he can have a very, very good second part of the season.

“Benzema has trained very well. He is very well and will play. Modric has tested negative but remains confined. He is tired and has had a fever so he will not be there tomorrow. Then we have to assess what the regulations say.”

The former Paris Saint-Germain boss also said Barcelona who are Real Madrid long time rivals are no longer his clubs direct rivals.

“Now Barcelona is not a direct rival because we are closer [to] Sevilla, Atletico or Betis, but if I were Barcelona’s coach I would say that we can’t rule out LaLiga either,” Ancelotti said to a news conference ahead of Los Blancos’ league clash with Cadiz.

Would be good to see the clubs record buy in action from the start again having fallen out of favour with the Italian who confirmed he preferred other players ahead of the Belgian.