Bayern Munich vs Atletico Madrid to Go Ahead Despite Coronavirus Scare
By Adam Aladay
A UEFA spokesperson has confirmed that Bayern Munich and Atletico Madrid's Champions League clash will go ahead as planned on Wednesday, despite the game being thrown into doubt after Serge Gnabry tested positive for the coronavirus.
Bayern - who are looking to defend their status as European champions - are due to host Atletico on Wednesday evening as they kick off their Champions League campaign. However, it was noted early on Wednesday that the clash could be postponed after Gnabry's positive coronavirus test on Tuesday evening.
The Bundesliga giants were said to be concerned that more players could later test positive after Gnabry took part in contact stretching during a recent training session. The 25 players who took part in the session all followed COVID-19 prevention measures, but there was still concern. As a result, the squad and first team staff were forced to undergo additional tests on Wednesday.
Now a number of German outlets are reporting that the clash will go ahead, while a UEFA spokesperson confirmed to dpa on Wednesday in the afternoon that the game will go on 'as planned'.
Despite this, dpa state that Bayern are yet to officially announce if any other players or staff have since tested positive. However, Kicker report that the game will go ahead, with the additional tests carried out on Wednesday all coming back negative.
Bayern currently find themselves sat in second place in the Bundesliga after four games, one point behind RB Leipzig. Hansi Flick's side have been typically ruthless in front of goal, scoring 17 times already, but have also conceded eight goals. Of course, four of these came in the 4-1 defeat to Hoffenheim in September.
As for Atletico, they are yet to taste defeat in La Liga, but have drawn two of their opening four league games. They will head to Germany on Wednesday looking to get their Champions League campaign off to a positive start.
Bayern and Atletico are joined in Group A by Lokomotiv Moscow and Red Bull Salzburg, who also go head to head on Wednesday.