"I didn't want to unbalance the team" - Carlo Ancelotti explains why Real Madrid superstar was an unused substitute in 3-1 Espanyol win × Follow Us Create Notifications New User posted their first comment this is comment text Link Approve Reject & ban Delete Log in Manage your profile Editing Story Queue Video Queue Editing Stats Writer Home SEO Redirection Admin Gaming Wiki Edits Taxonomy Home Edit Site Menu Mapping Dashboard Tag Pages Community Social Feed Queue Feed Center Notification Center Affiliate Home Manage Pages Bottom Tagline Dash Timeless Stories Logout Football La Liga 2022-23 News I didn t want to unbalance the team - Carlo Ancelotti explains why Real Madrid superstar was an unused substitute in 3-1 Espanyol win By Jack Spedding Modified 29 Aug 2022 Follow Us Comment Share Carlo Ancelotti explains Real Madrid star's absence Real Madrid boss Carlo Ancelotti has explained why Eden Hazard didn't come on during their 3-1 La Liga victory over Espanyol on Sunday evening. Los Blancos took an early lead thanks to a Vinicius Junior strike before former Newcastle striker Joselu equalized for the hosts on the stroke of half-time. It took until the 88th minute for the Spanish champions to regain the lead, as Karim Benzema once again bailed his side out. The French forward added another in injury time to secure the win and maintain Madrid's 100% record this season. B/R Football@brfootballReal Madrid tied 1-1 in the 88th minuteEnter: Karim Benzema 11249908Real Madrid tied 1-1 in the 88th minuteEnter: Karim Benzema https://t.co/jNizIk39Bi Ancelotti only used four of his allotted five substitutes, which prompted many Real Madrid supporters to question why Hazard did not come on. The 31-year-old playmaker is yet to start a game for the Galacticos this term to help compound his miserable stay at the Bernabeu so far. The Belgian international joined from Chelsea in 2019 with incredibly high expectations. But injuries have wrecked his time in the Spanish capital as he has only scored six times in 68 appearances for the club. When asked about Hazard's omission following the full-time whistle, Ancelotti told Real Madrid's official website: "Hazard might have been an option, but I didn't want to unbalance the team. We already had Rodrygo, Vinicius and Karim playing. Bringing on another forward could have been risky. "He has my full backing and it's not a problem if he doesn't play, doesn't get on the pitch or doesn't warm up. He will get playing time. I'm not Hazard's, Benzema's, Mendy's, Camavinga's or Valverde's coach. I'm Real Madrid's coach." Hazard Xtra.@HazardXtra Ancelotti: “Hazard was an option, but I didn't want to unbalance the team with Vini, Rodrygo and Karim. With another striker we could have more risk. With Hazard I have total confidence, it doesn't matter if he doesn't get in a game.”38519 Ancelotti: “Hazard was an option, but I didn't want to unbalance the team with Vini, Rodrygo and Karim. With another striker we could have more risk. With Hazard I have total confidence, it doesn't matter if he doesn't get in a game.” https://t.co/zbMH4wz9N6 Carlo Ancelotti explains changes for Real Madrid s clash with Espanyol The legendary Italian boss made three changes from the side that thrashed Celta Vigo 4-1 last weekend. The most notable of which came in midfield as Toni Kroos replaced Eduardo Camavinga. ESPN FC@ESPNFCThree straight away wins to start the season Real Madrid sitting pretty in first ?8885556Three straight away wins to start the season Real Madrid sitting pretty in first ? https://t.co/xNhwgQMYeC The decision appeared to have backfired as the European champions struggled to find a way past a determined Espanyol side. But they eventually found a way through, and Ancelotti explained his choices after the encounter. He proclaimed: “Each game is a different story. If I’d started with Rodrygo and Camavinga we might not have had so much control in the first 25 minutes. If Kroos and Modric had come on instead, we might not have had that energy that we had. But choosing is like betting. Sometimes you win and sometimes you lose. Today, the Real Madrid coach made a good bet”. Paul Merson predicts Arsenal vs Liverpool and other EPL GW 10 fixtures! Click here Poll : 0 votes Quick Links More from Sportskeeda Edited by Sankalp Srivastava × Feedback Thank You! Be the first one to comment Follow Us Share Show More Comments GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? No thanks Delete GIF Cancel Update GIF Cancel Reply ❮ ❯ GIF Comment in moderation 0 0 Reply x Edit Delete Delete the comment? 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