Madrid miss Hazard as Vinicius sneaks make an impression on Valladolid
Real Madrid missed the creativeness of the injured Eden Hazard as only a fortuitous goal from substitute Vinicius Junior earned them a 1-0 victory over Real Valladolid in La Liga on Wednesday.
Vinicius capitalised on some chaotic defending in the Valladolid penalty area after coming on for Luka Jovic, Madrid's misfiring striker who was simply committed but finally fruitless again before goal.
"We know we have to improve and we are likely to," said Zinedine Zidane.
Jovic could yet be permitted to leave prior to the end of the transfer window on Monday and he will need to have looked on enviously as a simple chance fell to Vinicius to give Madrid their second win of the growing season.
But the insufficient goals only served to highlight the absence of Hazard, who had been due to make his first appearance of the season only to grab of the squad previously Wednesday with a muscle injury in his right leg.
Hazard sat out Madrid's opening two games, with Zidane adamant the Belgium midfielder would have to be fully fit and completely pain clear of the troublesome ankle problem he struggled with last term.
Yet another injury means Hazard is now expected to be out for at least another fourteen days, leaving Madrid to deal without their 100 million euros ($117 million) signing, just as they had to for prolonged periods during his opening year.
"It's a little thing," said Zidane. "I have no idea if it will be days or weeks nonetheless it isn't much."
With Gareth Bale and James Rodriguez gone, the attacking onus will fall on famous brands Vinicius, regardless if Zidane preferred to start out with the Brazilian on the bench and give Jovic another chance to impress alongside Karim Benzema.
"We lacked somewhat of rhythm, we had a need to the move the ball faster," added Thibaut Courtois.
"Unless you move the ball fast, it's easy for them to guard. In the second half we were better."
Jovic, who has scored only two goals since joining from Frankfurt for 60 million euros in July 2019, cannot be faulted for too little effort and was arguably Madrid's busiest attacking player in the first half.
But two good chances went begging and Zidane finally brought on Vinicius right before the hour.
Seven points from nine continues a solid start for the reigning champions, with Barcelona because of play away at Celta Vigo on Thursday.
Earlier, Atletico Madrid followed up their 6-1 thrashing of Granada on Saturday with a much less spectacular goalless draw away at Huesca.
Valladolid are still with out a victory after four games, having only managed draws in the home to Real Sociedad and Celta Vigo.
Jovic was involved early for Madrid, his driving run-down the left giving Marcelo a sight of goal, before a speedy counter-attack ended with Fede Valverde sliding the ball across, but he fired over.
Jovic lashed into the side-netting after the right work by Luka Modric and saw a header saved early in the next half, with Casemiro smashing the rebound against the crossbar.
With the overall game in the balance, Valladolid sniffed an opportunity. Waldo Rubio dragged wide from close range and Shon Weissman raced forward and forced Courtois right into a smart save.
But as the visitors were gaining in confidence, Madrid struck, Vinicius taking good thing about a string of defensive errors, the last committed by Bruno, his attempted clearance falling to the feet of the 20-year-old, who made no mistake.
Raul Garcia and Waldo went near an equaliser before Modric hit the post late on.
