Real Madrid news: Manager Carlo Ancelotti has defended Eden Hazard’s performance in Los Blancos’ 4-1 win over RCD Mallorca in La Liga.
Hazard made it to the starting XI against Mallorca but his performance was rather underwhelming. Ancelotti eventually replaced Hazard with Luka Modric in the 59th minute of the match when the scoreboard read 1-1.
Real Madrid would go on to win the game 4-1 to extend their 100% win record in the 22/23 season.
Against Mallorca, Real Madrid trailed by a goal when Vedat Muriqi scored in the 35th minute of the match. Fede Valverde restored parity just before the half time, scoring in the 45+3rd minute.
Real Madrid news: Carlo Ancelotti defends Eden Hazard’s performance
Los Blancos took the lead in the 72nd minute of the match, with Vinicius Jr adding his name to the scoresheet. Real Madrid then established a two-goal cushion in the 89th minute before Antonio Rudiger sent them 4-1 up in the 90+3rd minute.
Speaking after the match, Ancelotti defended Hazard’s performance in the game. He also explained the decision to sub off the Belgian attacker.
“It’s better to use Rodrygo as a nine with Valverde rather than just Hazard,” Ancelotti said after the game. “We had difficulties not because Hazard was there, but because the other positions weren’t occupied by the others. Hazard can play centre-forward.”
Meanwhile, Hazard had scored in Real Madrid’s 3-0 win over Celtic in their Champions League 22/23 season opener. He came off the bench in the 30th minute to replace the injured Karim Benzema.
Hazard provided an assist for Luka Modric’s goal in the 60th minute of the match. That was their second goal of the match against Celtic. Hazard made it 3-0 in the 77th minute, duly finishing from close range after Dani Carvajal had played the ball across the face of the post.
Meanwhile, Real Madrid’s win over Mallorca saw them reclaim their position at the top of the points table. Barcelona had occupied first place for a brief period after they defeated Cadiz in their previous game.
Having won all matches they have played so far in the Spanish top-flight this season, Real Madrid sits top of the table with 15 points from five matches.
Barcelona, meanwhile, sits second with 13 points from five matches. The Catalan outfit won four of those games and drew the other.
