It was a restrained joy. While the Devil had just saved his team in the 115th minute in Elche, Eden Hazard remained measured in his celebration. But we could still guess the enormous relief of the Brainois, who was finally able to be decisive with the Real Madrid jersey on his shoulders. This will probably not make him a starting spot in the short term, but it will at least have the merit of giving him the boost he needs.
Inevitably, the Spanish media had only for him this Friday. “Hazard just in time”, title Marca in its edition of the day. The Madrid newspaper recalls that this is the player’s first decisive goal since he has been in Madrid (yes, you read that right). “Eden Hazard – who is going through his worst period since arriving in Madrid – was there when Real Madrid needed him the most. He showed that he was still a great player. very nice goal. Florentino Perez finally gets back the money he spent on him. His name will now be treated with a little more respect. In recent months, he has often been spoken of badly. Real Madrid have did what seemed impossible: win in Elche, 10 against 11 and… resuscitate Eden Hazard. Which is no small feat.”
For the newspaper As, the other major Madrid daily, our compatriot is on the right track to regain credit at the Bernabéu stadium. “Finally Hazard!” Launches the newspaper on the cover. “Eden Hazard has finally achieved what Real Madrid hoped they would achieve by bringing him in. He also knows that he hasn’t been able to live up to expectations yet. His life-saving goal resembled those he scored during his best period at Chelsea. He did what he should have done a long time ago: be decisive for Real. He is on the road to redemption and reintegration. Hazard’s talent hibernated, he never disappeared. If he and Dani Ceballos are back in form, Real will have made two high-level ‘transfers’ during this transfer window.”
Even on the side of the Catalan newspapers, we are obliged to salute the performance of the former Chelsea player. “He hasn’t said his last word yet,” assures Mundo Deportivo. “His killer instinct took over,” writes his Sport side. What put a little balm in the heart to our compatriot.
Ancelotti: ‘I have never been so happy after a victory’
In all this, it was even Carlo Ancelotti who seemed the most satisfied. The Italian coach, who has never really given Hazard a gift, seemed delighted with the outcome of the meeting. Even if he only raised it at the start of extra time. “I have never been so happy after a win this season,” he said. “Isco and Hazard haven’t been given much playing time this season, but today they were the ones who won us the game. (…) The past is the past. I know now that I can count on Isco and Hazard. I really have an exceptional group.”
