Eden Hazard can still be 'weapon' for Real Madrid after returning for stalemate with Cadiz

Belgian forward makes first start since September and Ancelotti believes he can have a role to play for the remainder of the season

Real Madrid forward Eden Hazard wins a header during the match between Real Madrid and Cadiz at Estadio Santiago Bernabeu on December 19, 2021 in Madrid, Spain. Getty Images

Eden Hazard controls the ball during the match between Real Madrid and Cadiz. Getty Images

Eden Hazard attempts to cross the ball as Cadiz's Carlos Akapo dives in to make the block. AP Photo

Eden Hazard tries to hold of a challenge from Ruben Sobrino of Cadiz. Getty Images

Eden Hazard rides a challenge from Cadiz defender Carlos Akapo. AFP

(From L) Real Madrid's Belgian forward Eden Hazard fights for the ball with Cadiz's Spanish forward Ruben Sobrino and Cadiz's Uruguayan defender Pacha Espino during the Spanish league football match between Real Madrid CF and Cadiz CF, at the Santiago Bernabeu stadium in Madrid on December 19, 2021. (Photo by JAVIER SORIANO / AFP)

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti gives their team instructions from the touchline. Getty Images

Real Madrid striker Karim Benzema attempts an overhead kick. Getty Images

Ivan Alejo of Cadiz battles for possession with Real Madrid forward Vinicius Junior. Getty Images

Real Madrid and Cadiz players challenge for a header. AFP

Cadiz goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma leaps to catch a high ball. AFP

Real Madrid defender Eder Militao, left, grimaces in pain after a challenge from Cadiz forward Ivan Chapela. AFP

Karim Benzema and Alfonso Espino of Cadiz battle for the ball. Getty Images

Cadiz's goalkeeper Jeremias Ledesma kicks the ball as Karim Benzema attempts a block. AP

Real Madrid manager Carlo Ancelotti extended a lifeline to Eden Hazard, saying the Belgian forward could be a "weapon for the second half of the season" after making his return to the side in Sunday night's 0-0 draw with Cadiz.

A Madrid side depleted by injury and a spate of positive Covid cases were frustrated by their 19th-placed opponents at the Santiago Bernabeu to be denied an 11th consecutive victory in all competitions.

"We lacked a bit of quality in the final third but we played well, it was just there were no spaces," Ancelotti said. "These are the games we struggle with most."

The stalemate reduced Madrid's lead at the top of La Liga from eight points to six at the end of the weekend, after second-placed Sevilla, who still have a game in hand, snatched a late victory over Atletico Madrid on Saturday.

Three straight league defeats means Atletico, the defending champions, are now 14 points off the top while Barcelona, who beat Elche on Saturday, are seventh, 16 points adrift.

Hazard's last start for Madrid had come in the shock Champions League defeat by Sheriff Tiraspol on September 21, with the Belgian's season again interrupted by injury and a lack of fitness.

But form has been a key factor too, after Ancelotti stated he "prefers other players" while admitting Hazard would have to show patience and perseverance to earn back his place.

Hazard could even depart as early as January if a significant bid arrives, although this was an encouraging night for the 30-year-old former Chelsea star, who made little impact from the right wing in the first half but improved immeasurably when moved more centrally in the second.

"It took him a bit of time to get into the game, he did better in the second half," said Ancelotti. "He is not so used to playing close to the wing, on the right, but inside he combined very well with Karim [Benzema]. Hazard can be one more weapon for the second half of the season."

It remains to be seen if any of of Marco Asensio, Rodrygo and Gareth Bale - all unavailable due to positive Covid tests - are available for Wednesday's game away at Athletic Bilbao, but Hazard will hope he did at least enough to continue his latest attempt at a revival.

Luka Modric was also absent, allowing Fede Valverde a chance to impress in midfield, but Madrid missed the Croatian's creativity, especially early on.

If either team were lucky in the opening 45 minutes it was Madrid, who could have been reduced to 10 men when Casemiro was only shown a yellow card for a leaping, two-footed challenge from behind on Alejo.

Madrid controlled the contest but struggled to break down Cadiz, who limited their opponents to speculative crosses and optimistic efforts from distance. Valverde went closest with a stinging long-range drive.

Hazard was virtually anonymous in the opening 45 minutes, without a single shot, cross or key pass from out on the right wing, where he looked lost and isolated.

But he drifted more centrally in the second half, with Vinicius Junior and Benzema ahead of him, and suddenly there was more of a spark.

In the 50th minute, Hazard brushed a sumptuous flick into Benzema and span away for the return, his attempted cross for Vinicius cut out. He rolled away from his marker and skipped past another and then should have scored, flicking a header wide after being picked out by Toni Kroos.

The game was still goalless with 20 minutes left as Ancelotti introduced Luka Jovic for Valverde. Cadiz had arguably the best chance but in space just eight yards out, Alvaro Negredo fired wide.

Madrid poured forward with Benzema weaving through before scooping over. The Frenchman then had a dipping free-kick scrambled away.

Hazard chested down in the box in injury-time but the ball would not drop fast enough for him and Cadiz survived.