Thibaut Courtois has said services of star man Eden Hazard will be needed in their battle for the La Liga title.
The winger has not enjoyed a smooth campaign thus since his arrival from Chelsea last summer. Hazard has only played 15 games for Los Blancos largely due to his injury concerns.
Hazard was reported to have broken his ankle prior to the halting of the league, but should be okay to return to action once the season restarts having used the three months to recover fully from the injury.
Courtois provided an update on his club and national teammate with Madrid set to return to La Liga action on June 14 against Eibar.
“Hazard is just fine,” Belgium star Courtois told Movistar. “The rhythm he has is surprising, but we have to go bit by bit.
“We can’t expect him to be on top form without playing. I think he’s in shape and we’ll need him to fight for the title.”
The suspension of football due to the coronavirus pandemic came at the right time for Madrid who looked to be sinking.
The club had just one win from their last four La Liga games; a win against Barcelona, losing to Real Betis and Levante while also drawing at home with Celta Vigo.
“We can’t wait for the league to begin again and start the battle to win it,” Courtois said as Madrid prepare to play behind closed doors.
“It’ll be different [without fans],” added Courtois. “It’s great when there is an atmosphere – even when you are playing away from home and it’s against you. It gives you adrenaline and it’s something which motivates me to pull off more saves. I’ll be just as motivated without the fans there.”
Playing behind close doors may not be the new norm for Zidane’s side as they are also set to play the rest of their home games at Estadio Alfredo Di Stefano.
This is due to the fact that the Santiago Bernabeu is undergoing renovation works and would be unavailable for use.
“I don’t think it will work against us [playing away from the Bernabeu],” Courtois said. “It’s an honour to play at a stadium named after a legend – the best player in Real Madrid history.
“For the history of the club, it would be very nice to win the league there. The training sessions we have had there have been going well and I can’t see us having any problems playing there.”
