Atletico Madrid Confirm Two Positive Coronavirus Tests Days Before Champions League Quarter Final

Atletico Madrid have announced that two of their players and staff have tested positive for coronavirus just days before their Champions League quarter final against RB Leipzig.

Atletico were set to travel to Lisbon on Monday, where all remaining games in the competition will be played, and will now leave the infected players behind and tweak their travel plans.

They confirmed the two positive COVID-19 tests via a statement on their website.

"Yesterday, Saturday 8 August, all members of the first team and the club's expedition to Lisbon underwent PCR tests at the Ciudad Deportiva de Majadahonda as required by UEFA protocol to participate in the quarterfinals of the Champions League," the press release began.

"Among the results known today, two positives have appeared, which are isolated in their respective homes, and which were immediately communicated to the Spanish and Portuguese health authorities, UEFA, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Portuguese Federation and the Higher Sports Council.

"Likewise, the corresponding action protocol foreseen for these cases has been activated, which requires new PCR tests to be carried out on the first team and members of the expedition to Lisbon and the closest contacts of the positive cases, and that motivates changes in training schedules, in the structure and development of travel and accommodation in the Portuguese capital."

As all protocol has been followed correctly, it seems likely that Thursday's game against RB Leipzig will go ahead as planned.

Atletico sensationally beat Liverpool over two legs in the Round of 16 with the dramatic second leg one of the final high profile games to be played before football's COVID-19 enforced break. Their opponents RB Leipzig bested Tottenham 4-0 on aggregate to get to this stage. The Bundesliga side will be without top scorer Timo Werner this time around though, following his move to Chelsea.