Hazard, Carvajal rejoin Real Madrid squad in training ahead of El Clasico

Real Madrid attacker Eden Hazard and defender Dani Carvajal rejoined the squad in training this Friday and should be ready to play when Los Blancos visit Barcelona to play the first El Clasico of the 2021-2022 season. However, both Carvajal and Hazard have struggled with injuries for the last couple of seasons, so it’s likely that coach Carlo Ancelotti takes a cautious approach and decides that they should come off the bench if needed.

Carvajal’s return to the lineup would be massive news for Real Madrid, though. Los Blancos don’t have a pure right-back other than him in the squad and right now Lucas Vazquez, Fede Valverde and Nacho would be competing for the starting job of defending Ansu Fati. Given the circumstances, Carvajal seems to have a shot at playing El Clasico if he feels he’s ready to play 90 minutes.

The path towards the lineup is not that easy for Eden Hazard now that Vinicius and Rodrygo have been completing solid —if not great— performances alongside Benzema, so he will almost surely start the game on the bench waiting for his opportunity.