Hakim Ziyech was linked in the summer with a move to Real Madrid, who finally went for Eden Hazard. The Belgian striker has not played in the Champions League since November 2017. At that time, the Moroccan had not even made his Champions League debut.
Facts, sometimes, can lead to curious comparisons like this one. Hazard and Hakim Ziyech were two players strongly linked with a move to the Spanish capital to strenghten a Real Madrid side who had had a season to forget. Real needed big names to bring back optimism at the Santiago Bernabeu.
Finally, the board went for Eden Hazard, who had had a great season at Chelsea. The Belgian's quality is undisputable, but Chelsea's decline in recent years has led to him playing less in the Champions League.
Proof of that are in his stats: he has not scored in the Champions League since 22nd November 2017. It was against Qarabag from the penalty spot. Including that goal, Hazard has netted eight times in the Champions League as well as 10 assists in 47 appearances. His debut came in 2011 when he was playing for Lille.
Ziyech, after a brilliant season at Ajax, was one of Real Madrid's possible signings. Of course his Champions League record is unbelievable, at least for a footballer in his position. In 27 matches (including qualifying encounters), the Moroccan has scored six times and given 10 assists.
That said, Ziyech's goals and asissts have come in much less time. He made his debut in July 2017 and scored his first goal in July 2018. Hazard has yet to score since Ziyech got on the scoresheet in the Champions League for the first time. The Ajax man has scored six goals without reply from the Belgian. It is worth pointing out Hazard did not take part in the 2018-19 edition as Chelsea were in the Europa League.
Therefore, the Belgian striker is looking to end his bad form in the competition in Real Madrid's encounter with Galatasaray at the Bernabeu. The Spanish side need three points to give them breathing space ahead of the last two matches in the group and to bounce back from Saturday's disappointing 0-0 draw with Betis.