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Real Madrid star Eden Hazard is set to miss the upcoming Clasico, with veteran left-back Marcelo also being an injury doubt. Barcelona are set to host their fierce rivals for the first time this season on 18th December, but Real Madrid's lengthy list of injuries will be a cause for concern for Los Blancos.
Hazard limped off the pitch in a recent Champions League clash against Paris Saint-Germain after a Thomas Meunier challenge. It was initially thought to be an external bruise on the ankle that could rule the Belgian out for 10 days, but further scans revealed that the injury is a lot worse than expected.
An official statement from Real Madrid issued on Thursday read,
"Following tests carried out on our player, Eden Hazard, by Real Madrid's medical department, the development of the perimalleolar bruising in his right leg has seen him diagnosed with an incomplete external microfracture in the aforementioned area."
He is set to be on the sidelines for 4 to 6 weeks.
This news comes as a blow to both the club and Hazard as the 13-time European champions have a tricky run of fixtures ahead and Hazard was beginning to rediscover his form with his new club. The former Chelsea forward is now set to miss the rest of 2020 and a large part of January as well, which also means that he could miss the Spanish Super Cup semi-final against Valencia in the second week of January.
On the other hand, Marcelo has reportedly picked up a calf injury that has essentially ruled him out of Real's clashes against Espanyol and Valencia. The Brazilian is also in a race against time to regain his fitness before Los Blancos travel to the Nou Camp.
In an injury update released by the club, they revealed the extent of the left-back's injury:
"Following tests carried out on our player, Marcelo, by the Real Madrid medical department, he has been diagnosed with a muscular injury in his left soleus."
James Rodriguez, Lucas Vazquez, and Marco Asensio are the other notable absentees for the capital club. Real are also set to host Athletic Bilbao, travel to Getafe and Brussels to play Club Brugge in what is a stacked month of fixtures during the festive period.
