Ramos and Hazard return for Real Madrid
The captain and the Belgian forward worked with the group on Wednesday and could feature in the Champions League against Atalanta on March 16.
Real Madrid trained in Valdebebas on Wednesday and head coach Zinedine Zidane saw the return of two of his most important players, Sergio Ramos and Eden Hazard. The captain and the Belgian forward have both been out for quite some time through injury. On Wednesday, they joined their teammates in the group session.
Ramos' return to action so quick after undergoing surgery on the meniscus in his left knee on February 6 is impressive. He was initially ruled out of action for around six weeks, but just over a month later, he is back working with intensity. The captain's plan all along was to be back for Elche this weekend and to be able to choose to be a starter or not against Atalanta in the Champions League second leg.
Hazard's journey back has been slightly different. The former Chelsea star got injured on February 3, with a muscle tear in the left anterior rectus, an injury with an expected absence of three or four weeks, although Zidane later lowered that forecast to two or three weeks. A month later, he still hadn't returned to training as he felt pain in the injured area and stopped the intensity with which he had been working at.
Pair could face Atalanta
It is now likely that both players will participate in the Champions League round of 16 second leg against Atalanta in Valdebebas on March 16. If they continue to exercise with the group for the rest of week, it is likely that they will be called into the matchday squad for Elche this weekend at the Alfredo Di Stéfano on Saturday.