Eden Hazard needs to have more trust in himself to return to his best level, says Real Madrid head coach Carlo Ancelotti.
Belgium forward Hazard started just his ninth game of the season in the 3-1 victory over Alcoyano in the Copa del Rey on Wednesday, a match in which he and fellow forwards Rodrygo Goes and Mariano Diaz struggled for fluidity.
After that game Ancelotti gave his backing to Hazard, who has struggled to consistently hit top form and been blighted by injuries since his big-money move from Chelsea in May 2019.
And the Italian struck a similar tone when addressing the media prior to Saturday s home LaLiga clash with Valencia.
His physical condition is quite good, he just needs to trust himself, to have more trust [in his ability], Ancelott…
Javi Martinez still has a chance to be called up for Spain s World Cup squad, coach Julen Lopetegui indicated.
Martinez was one of the surprise names – along with Chelsea pair Cesc Fabregas and Alvaro Morata – to be left out of the Spain squad for international friendlies against Germany and Argentina.
The Bayern Munich defender told the media he had no contact from Lopetegui regarding his omission, although he has not featured for Spain since the 2014 World Cup.
Lopetegui, however, suggested Martinez – called up for friendlies last year without appearing – could still force his way into the final selection for Russia.
Javi has been called many times by us, some other times he got injured just before coming, the Spain coach said on Thursday.
Luciano Spalletti has urged his Roma players to respond when they take on Verona on Sunday following the dismissal of Rudi Garcia.
Garcia got the sack on Wednesday following Roma s underwhelming performances in recent weeks, with Spalletti returning to the Stadio Olimpico as his replacement.
I hope the side responds well immediately because we re off the pace in the league table, Spalletti said at a news conference on Saturday.
We have to make a fast start and get back to what we do best. Sunday I expect a strong response from the lads to show what this side is made of.
There are no excuses for the players. We ve fallen behind in the table and we have to start winning games now. The players look switched on and they ve met my expectations in terms of d…
Shockingly relinquishing their Bundesliga crown last season as they missed out on the chance to get their hands on a 12th consecutive domestic title, endured a public struggle.
Eventually forced to settle for a bronze medal finish among Germany’s elite, the now-former champions face what is a critical summer behind the scenes in Munich.
Parting ways with Thomas Tuchel after the ex-Chelsea boss could only muster a single full campaign at the Allianz, many across the continent were left stunned as was officially appointed as Tuchel’s successor on May 29th.
Guiding Burnley to an immediate Championship return last season as the Clarets failed to keep hold of their Premier League status, the former skipper will be under a huge amount of scrutiny in Munich.
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