Apprehension at Madrid with Hazard set to undergo scan
An initial ultrasound test delivered an inconclusive result on Sunday with the player set to undergo an MRI scan to determine the nature of the injury.
As Real Madrid focus their attention to the trip to Ukraine where they face Shakhtar Donetsk in the Champions League on Tuesday (18:55 CET ko), there is also a considerable level of anxiety at the club over the injury sustained by Eden Hazard during the home defeat to Deportivo Alavés with concerns that the Belgian may even miss the Madrid derby on 12 December as Zidane's side are set to face Atlético at Valdebebas.
Eden Hazard will undergo a series of scans on Monday to determine the seriousness of the muscular problem in his right leg that forced the player to be substituted around the 30 minute mark last Saturday. Zinedine Zidane confired in the post-match press conference that the player had complained of discomfort after a collision.
Tricky fixture list
Last week's win in Milan has taken some of the pressure off after a shaky start in the Champions League group phase and a win or draw against Shakhtar would see Zidane's men almost mathematically through to the next round. Injuries still hamper the French coach with Carvajal the most recent addition to the sick bay with Jovic, Valverde and Ramos still out of action.
1 December: Shakhtar (Champions League away)
The 3-2 from the Ukrainian outfit at Valdebebas in matchday one of the 2020/21 Champions League was one of the biggest shocks in the competition and even more-so, given the depleted squad that travelled to Madrid with covid cases impacting on the Shakhtar squad. After the win at San Sireo last week, avoiding defeat is premium for Zidane in Kyiv.
5 December: Sevilla (LaLiga away)
The lack of supporters in attendance at the Sanchez Pizjuan will be a minor boost for Real Madrid with 'Los Blancos' perennially receiving a hostile reception at one of LaLiga's ,ost intimidating grounds. A 0-1 league win in 2019 for Madrid contrasts with three back-to-back defeats in the Andalusian capital for Real Madrid.
9 December: Borussia Monchengladbach (Champions League home)
Real Madrid's last game of the group stage sees the visit of high flying Bundesliga side Monchengladbach with Zidane's men having to dig deep to secure a 2-2 draw at Borussia Park. The Round of 16 draw takes place on 14 December and only two defeats and an unblikely combination of scorelines would contrive for the unthinkable of an absence of the 13-times-winners in the pots at UEFA HQ?
12 December: Atlético Madrid (LaLiga home)
The Madrid derby is always a close and tightly contested affair but it's anticipated by this point of time, the Madrid injury-bay has seen a clear-out with key players having returned. At present the club are hoping that Hazard will be ready for a return for the visit of Simeone's side.
