Hazard to miss Madrid derby

Real Madrid will not be able to count on Eden Hazard for the league derby against Atletico Madrid next Saturday, February 1. The Belgian striker was once again excluded from group training on Monday.

Zinedine Zidane is still unable to recover a Hazard who, despite being happy with his progress, will not be available for the head-to-head against their city rivals, in one of the biggest matches of the season.

Which is why the Belgian international forward has now had to set his sights on the first leg of the Champions League Round of 16 against Manchester City, which will be played on 26 February. 

The newspaper 'AS' were the first to break Hazard0s absence from training this morning. Although he has not yet joined the group, he has been able to increase his contact with the ball. 

Los Blancos do not want to take risks with their star signing this season, which is why the coaching staff and the doctors of the club have decided to keep him away to avoid a relapse. 

The Belgian international striker suffered an injury to his own countryman Thomas Meunier at Madrid-PSG on 26 November. Days later, the white club confirmed a "micro-fissure" and Zinedine Zidane admitted that it was more serious than expected.

Thibaut Courtois, speaking in the mixed zone after the narrow 1-0 win over Valladolid, was pessimistic about Hazard's return for the match against Cholo Simeone's team: "We have to be realistic, there are six days left before the derby and Hazard hasn't trained with the team yet."