Raphael Varane tested positive for Covid-19 on Tuesday, Real Madrid said, leaving the team facing a crisis in defence ahead of their Champions League quarter-final first leg against Liverpool.
Madrid are already without the injured Sergio Ramos, meaning Nacho Fernandez and Eder Militao are the only fit central defenders left in Zinedine Zidane’s squad for the game against Liverpool in the Spanish capital later on Tuesday.
“Real Madrid C. F. informs that our player Raphael Varane tested positive in the COVID-19 test he underwent this morning,” a club statement read.
Varane’s absence comes at the worst possible time for Madrid, with the Frenchman also expected to miss Saturday’s Clasico against Barcelona and the return leg against Liverpool at Anfield next week.
Varane has been a key part of Real Madrid’s upturn in form in recent weeks, which has seen the team go 11 games unbeaten and move to within three points of La Liga leaders Atletico Madrid.
Barcelona are just a point behind Atletico, with the Clasico at Valdebebas this weekend set to mark a crucial point in the Spanish title race.
Madrid have had six positive cases of Covid-19 this season, Varane following Militao, Eden Hazard, Casemiro, Luka Jovic and Nacho in catching the virus.
Author
World Cup News
-
FIFA World Cup
/ 9 hours agoCourt rules England World Cup winner died from brain injury linked to heading
Stiles, a former Manchester United midfielder, died almost six years ago aged 78 with...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 days agoCourtois ‘proud’ as sun sets on Belgium’s ‘Golden Generation’
Thibaut Courtois said he was proud of Belgium's fabled "Golden Generation" on Friday as...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 4 days agoSpain vs France a World Cup ‘final before the final’: De la Fuente
Spain coach Luis de la Fuente said on Friday that the World Cup semi-final...
By AFP -
FIFA World Cup
/ 5 days agoMbappe warns ‘a long way to go’ for France at World Cup after reaching semis
France captain Kylian Mbappe insisted Thursday his team were not getting carried away about...
By AFP