Real Madrid return to play in front of fans at Santiago Bernabéu
Real Madrid return home to the Santiago Bernabéu on Sunday, after almost two years away. Ancelotti's men face Celta Vigo in matchday four of LaLiga.
Fans will return to the Santiago Bernabéu this weekend as Real Madrid take on Celta Vigo in matchday four of La Liga. It will be Madrid's first time back at their home stadium in 560 days. Thousands of the club's supporters will get the chance to see their favourite players again this season after the club played in the much smaller Alfredo Di Stéfano stadium.
Hazard returning to form
One player that fans of the club haven't seen the best of yet is Eden Hazard. He is in his third season at the club but has only managed to find the net five times for the club in 46 games. "He is playing without pain and is happy on the pitch again," said Belgium head coach Roberto Martinez about the attacker. During the international break with Belgian, he scored a goal and provided an assist, which will have pleased Carlo Ancelotti. Hazard is likely to start on the left wing ahead of Vinicius against Celta as he arrived back a day earlier from international duty than the Brazilian.
Bale starting under Ancelotti
Gareth Bale returns to the club and the Bernabéu after a loan spell at Tottenham where he looked sharp, scoring 16 goals, despite being used a bit-part player. Like Hazard, he comes back from this international break in good form after scoring a hat-trick that helps Wales in their bid to qualify for the World Cup in 2022. With Madrid he has already scored a goal this season and has started in each of the first three games.
Ancelotti has full confidence in Bale and the Welshman is responding positively to his run in the side. Bale wants to have a strong season in the run up to the World Cup, and playing at the highest level will see him enter the tournament (if Wales qualify) still playing at the top.
Sunday is expected to be a day of celebration for Real Madrid, with the return of fans after the worst of the pandemic and also going back to their real home, the Santiago Bernabéu.