Eden Hazard did not complete a single take-on when Real Madrid last to Athletic Bilbao by 2-1 in the Super Cup semi finals, Sport Bible.
The Belgian attacker was substituted in the 67th minute for failing to make an impression in the game and the Spanish media have slammed the former Chelsea star.
The 30-year-old has endured several injury spells at the Santiago Bernabeu since his big money move from Stamford Bridge in 2019.
Hazard has scored just three times 32 appearances for real Madrid, with last goal coming against Huesca in over a year.
Spanish news media outlet AS’ headline said: “Hazard has no place” and state that he “is going from bad to worse”.
The article went on to review Hazard’s performance saying that he had no influence in the game and had no tendency of creating chances for Los Blancos.
🗣️ "Hazard has no place." 😳
🗣️ "He is going from bad to worse."Spanish media tear into Eden Hazard after another poor performance last night… It isn't going well for the Belgian since his dream move from Chelsea.https://t.co/j2QFHdGBaN
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 15, 2021
It also said that Hazard’s end product is disappointing as writer Agutin Martin wrote:
“He received a ball from Casemiro inside the area, but he clearly didn’t know what to do: Does he shoot, or force a penalty that never came… it was a constant: he wanted and could not (or did not know), he choked when facing defenders.
“The bad thing is that he begins to repeat performances like this.
And the rumour that he does not deserve to be a starter begins to run through the circles of Madrid fans.”
“Madrid awaits him and there is no time. Eden also has no place for now.
He is looking for it, but he needs to earn it: with performances like against Osasuna or against Athletic, no short-term solution is seen…”
However, Real Madrid head coach, Zinedine Zidane, who also came under serious criticism in the early first half of the season, admitted the former Lille star needs some time to get his confidence back on track.
“He needs to recover confidence, play a great game or score a goal, just to do something different.
We know what a great player he is and we need to be patient with him as he is working hard,” he told a press conference.
“We are behind him and must give him time. The fans want to see the best version of Eden so we must be patient.
“We’re sticking with him and he really wants to step up.”
