Hazard injury makes way for James and Bale

Once the press conference had finished, the Real Madrid coach informed everybody of Eden Hazard's injury in a short report: "After doing tests to our player after training, we have found he has an injury to his anterior left thigh muscle".

Although the club did not want to give information on how long it would take him to recover, the newspaper 'AS' estimate that the Belgian striker will be out for three to four weeks, depending on how well he recovers. Bad news for Zinedine Zidane, who will start his 2019/20 campaign without his star signing.

Before bringing Hazard's injury to light, the French coach publically winked towards James Rodriguez and Gareth Bale, interpreted as a sign, after a preaseason in which the Colombian did not participate and the Welshman was on his way out.

"James is fit and i am happy to have him in the team. I count on everybody that is here and they are happy to be at Real Madrid" stated Zidane, about a player who did not get any minutes during preseason.

"It seemed that Gareth was leaving and now he is here with us. The dynamic and things chnage and i am going to count on him like the others. Bale has picked up a knock but he is an important player. I hope that the players want to challenge for a start every week and put me in a difficult position". He added.

The injury of Eden Hazard has posed a new scenario for Zinedine Zidane, who has to visit Balaidos tomorrow evening. The Belgian joins Asensio and Rodrygo on the list of casualties in the attacking field, limiting their resources to measure themselves against Celta in their first game of the season.

The French coach has changed around his options, ranging from modifying or maintaining his commitment to the layout with three centrals to balance the different alternatives to accompany Karim Benzema and form an attack line in Vigo on Saturday.

Vinicius relies on a lot of help to lead the offensive line alongside the Frenchman, but it remains to be seen if Isco acts as a midfielder or trust Lucas Vazquez or Luka Jovic as a three. Also, Zidane's speech at his press conference could imply that James and Bale are considered into the first team.