REAL MADRID
Rivaldo says Madrid "escaped a historic beating" against PSG
Rivaldo criticised Hazard's debut in the Champions League for Real Madrid but says the whole team has to take responsibility and says Zidane has hit work cut out for him.
Eden Hazard's performance in Real Madrid's 3-0 defeat to Paris Saint-Germain was criticised by former Barcelona and Brazil forward Rivaldo, who said Los Blancos "escaped a historic beating" at Parc des Princes.
Former Chelsea player Hazard mustered a solitary shot off target and a single key pass before Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane replaced him with Lucas Vazquez in the 70th minute, with PSG leading 2-0.
Rivaldo said he was impressed by the French champions but questioned the strength of Zidane's squad after Madrid laboured in the absence of the injured Luka Modric and suspended Sergio Ramos.
"PSG offered an exhibition even without Neymar and Mbappe, their biggest stars," Rivaldo said. "Real Madrid escaped a historic beating."
"Eden had a bad debut match in Champions with Real Madrid, but even when you're a great player you need your teammates to help you shine and prove your worth.
"When you don't have enough players to supply replacements with the same quality, then the matter can get ugly. I think Zidane might be forced to go to the January market to recruit one or two great signings for the team.
"I think Zidane has a lot of work ahead to return this team to what it was when he won three consecutive Champions Leagues."