Atletico Madrid confirmed two cases of the coronavirus within the team’s camp ahead of the Champions League quarterfinals on Monday. The Spanish team is scheduled to face RB Leipzig on Friday and the report of two COVID-19 diagnosed players comes as a major blow.
The side has reached the quarterfinals of the UEFA Champions League for the fifth time in the last seven seasons. Diego Simeone’s men are already preparing for a faceoff against the Portuguese side who have qualified for the first time.
And considering the news of the two cases, it could put the title race for Simeone’s men in jeopardy.
“Yesterday, [on] Saturday 8 August, all members of the first team and the club’s travelling party [set to head] to Lisbon underwent PCR tests at the Ciudad Deportiva de Majadahonda as required by UEFA protocol, [in order] to participate in the quarterfinals of the Champions League,” the club confirmed in a statement.
“The club will coordinate the new schedules with UEFA and as soon as there is a new plan, it will be made public. We request the utmost respect for the preservation of the identity of the two positive cases.” the statement added.
Atletico hasn’t played since July 19 after finishing the domestic campaign draw by 1-1 against Real Sociedad and secured a third place in the La Liga.
