Eden Hazard scored one goal and set up another as Real Madrid thrashed Alaves 4-1 on Saturday to ease the pressure on their coach Zinedine ...
Eden Hazard scored one goal and set up another as Real Madrid thrashed Alaves 4-1 on Saturday to ease the pressure on their coach Zinedine Zidane, who was absent after testing positive for Covid-19.
Zidane’s position has come under scrutiny again after Wednesday’s defeat by third-tier side Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey but Madrid responded at Mendizorroza without their coach, or their captain Sergio Ramos, who was out with a knee injury.
Goals from Casemiro, Karim Benzema and Hazard put Madrid three up at half-time and while Alaves briefly threatened a fightback when Joselu headed in, Benzema added a second to put the result beyond doubt.
The victory is only Real Madrid’s second in six matches and leaves them four points behind Atletico Madrid, who have two games in hand and play Valencia at home on Sunday.
“The goals are good for the confidence, for everyone,” said Benzema. “It’s been a tough week for us because we always have to win, always have to be on the up. There’s always pressure. Today it went well, not just for me, for everyone.”
Zidane was confirmed to have tested positive on Friday, leaving his assistant David Bettoni to take charge in the dug-out, although Bettoni was pictured on the...
