Atletico Madrid have announced that two of their players and staff have tested positive for the coronavirus days before their Champions League quarter-final against RB Leipzig.
Atletico were set to travel to Lisbon on Monday, where all the remaining games in the competition will be played, and will now adjust their travel plans by leaving the affected players behind.
He confirmed the two positive COVID-19 tests in a statement on his website.
Official statement: Lisbon campaign to undergo new PCR test after two positive cases https://t.co/GztEhGvQQZ
— Atletico de Madrid (@Atleti) August 9, 2020
“Yesterday, Saturday August 8, all members of the first team and the club’s Lisbon adventure underwent PCR tests at Ciudad Deportiva de Majadahonda as required by UEFA protocol for participation in the quarter-finals of the Champions League,” the press release began.
“Among the results known today, there are two positive results, isolated in their respective homes, and which were immediately reported to the Spanish and Portuguese health authorities, UEFA, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Portuguese Federation and the Supreme Sports Council. was informed.
“Similarly, the corresponding action protocol proposed for these cases has been activated, which requires new PCR tests to be carried out on members of the first team and expedition to Lisbon and close contacts of positive cases, And it motivates changes in training. Schedules, in the structure and development of travel and accommodation in the Portuguese capital.”
Atletico beat Liverpool 4-2 on aggregate to reach the Champions League quarter-finals / Julian Finney/Getty Images
As all protocols have been followed correctly, it looks like the game against RB Leipzig on Thursday will go ahead as planned.
Atletico sensationally beat Liverpool over two legs in the round of 16 in a dramatic second leg in one of the final high-profile games to be played before football’s COVID-19-enforced break. Their rivals RB Leipzig progressed to this stage by beating Tottenham 4-0 on aggregate. The Bundesliga side will be without top scorer Timo Werner this time around, though, following his move to Chelsea.