Zinedine Zidane reveals reason behind Eden Hazard benching vs Granada

The coach believes the difficult Granada match wasn't the right time for Hazard's comeback.

He says he didn't want to risk the Belgian but promises that Eden will gradually return.

"I didn’t think it was right [to bring on Hazard] because it was a difficult match. We need to do such things at the right time. I didn’t want to risk with him again," Zinedine Zidane told the media after Real Madrid beat Granada 2-0.

On Hazard's long-awaited comeback, the coach added: "Now, we rest and little by little he’ll return to the team."

Eden has recovered from a thigh injury he sustained in the Alaves defeat on November 28. He was only included in the matchday squad for the Granada game.

So far this season, the Belgian has scored 3 goals in 6 appearances for Real Madrid.