Carlo Ancelotti has doubled down on his stance that Eden Hazard is a succesful centre-forward, after he emerged from the bench in opposition to Celtic to fill Karim Benzema's footwear.
Ange Postecoglou and his crew would have been forgiven by being caught off-guard when Benzema went off injured in the course of the Champions League conflict at Celtic Park, just for Ancelotti to show to Hazard as his deputy No.9. Pure striker Mariano Diaz was on the bench whereas Rodrygo and Vinicius Jr, who have been each on the pitch, have led the road earlier than, however Ancelotti selected Hazard to maneuver into the center.
That wily tactical selection paid off with Hazard scoring one and teeing up one other to assist get Actual 's Champions League defence off to a successful begin at Parkhead. And with Benzema nonetheless not likely match, Ancelotti caught to his weapons in opposition to Mallorca on Sunday with Hazard as soon as once more picked to start out up prime.
This time evaluations have been blended. As Actual got here from behind to win 4-1, Marca word that Hazard "made his presence felt with some tight go sequences within the opposition field" however was additionally "invisible for big intervals of the sport" earlier than his substitution on the hour-mark. Talking after the sport although Ancelotti insisted it is one thing he'll fortunately use once more sooner or later after the profitable experiment in opposition to Celtic.
He stated: "We had difficulties not as a result of Hazard was there, however as a result of the opposite positions weren't occupied by the others. Hazard can play centre-forward."
Talking earlier than kick-off, Ancelotti spoke in relative element about his show in opposition to Celtic and the way it influenced his crew choice. He stated on Saturday: "The thought I've is that Hazard, who has carried out properly when he entered in opposition to Celtic, tomorrow I'm going to place him on and hopefully he can repeat and play a very good sport.
"The system is similar. When Hazard got here on in opposition to Celtic, we stored him. It might be that he would not have Karim's scoring streak, as a result of he hasn't performed for a very long time. I am not going to ask him to attain objectives, I will ask him to play properly to keep up a very good offensive perspective.
"We do not have to lose the great streak we've in assault, combining properly, having mobility. This doesn't have to vary."
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