Real Madrid Pre-Season Friendlies 2022: Real Madrid vs Juventus on 31 July at 7:30 AM IST – Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti says Eden Hazard is a “great player” who the Spanish champions need after netting in Tuesday’s 2-2 friendly draw with Club America while also praising Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni. Hazard has struggled for impact at Madrid since his switch from Chelsea in 2019 amid a string of injuries, making only 66 appearances and scoring six goals across three seasons. The 31-year-old Belgian midfielder is fit again and vowed earlier this week to show his best with Los Blancos this season. Follow Soccer Champions Tour 2022 LIVE updates and news with InsideSport.IN
Real Madrid Pre-Season Friendlies 2022: Carlo Ancelotti praises Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni in friendly draw against Club America, Real Madrid prepare for Juventus and UEFA Super Cup next, Check DETAILS
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Real Madrid Pre-Season Friendlies 2022: Ancelotti says, “Hazard is a great player that we need”
Hazard was on the scoresheet from the penalty spot against the Mexican side in San Francisco, with Ancelotti hoping to set him up for a big campaign.
“We need these games to try to give Hazard minutes because Hazard is a great player that we need,” Ancelotti told reporters. “So I use these games to give him minutes. He improved his game compared to the first game.”
Los Blancos have one more game in their US tour against Juventus in Pasadena on Saturday prior to the new LaLiga campaign commencing on August 14.
Real Madrid Pre-Season Friendlies 2022: Ancelotti praises Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni in friendly
Ancelotti continues to learn about his squad during pre-season, in particular new additions Antonio Rudiger and Aurelien Tchouameni.
On Tchouameni, the Italian said: “He’s a different six than Casemiro, who stays more in his position. Tchouameni has the ability and quality to play more in attack. He has also improved on the ball.”
Karim Benzema was Madrid’s other scorer, equalising for 1-1 with an excellent low strike from outside the box in the 22nd minute.
Benzema, who scored 44 goals in all club competitions last term, had not played any competitive games since May, enjoying a longer break with the World Cup later this year in mind.
“Benzema is in good shape, even if he hasn’t done a lot of training sessions,” Ancelotti said. “It’s clear that he still needs to improve his physical form. But we are on schedule, working a lot.
“After the game against Juventus we will reduce the pressure a bit to be in good shape for the Super Cup.”
Real Madrid Pre-Season Friendlies 2022: Carlo Ancelotti praises Karim Benzema and Aurelien Tchouameni in friendly draw against Club America, Real Madrid prepare for Juventus and UEFA Super Cup next, Check DETAILS
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