Real Madrid boss Zinedine Zidane tests positive for Covid-19

Real Madrid have confirmed manager Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for Covid-19, and the Frenchman will need to self-isolate immediately.

The club have yet to add whether other members of the coaching or playing squad have had to isolate themselves or whether they will be able to complete their immediate matches. The statement reads only: “Real Madrid CF report that our coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for Covid-19.”

There is no indication if Zidane is suffering from symptoms, but it certainly turns into a week for the Spain champions to forget. If their game with Alaves this weekend comes, they are in desperate need of a comeback, now seven points behind league leaders Atletico, who also have a game in hand.

Following the club’s embarrassing Copa del Rey defeat earlier this week at the hands of Alcoyano, a side currently playing in the third tier of Spanish football, Zidane has already made headlines this week, but for all the wrong reasons. .

Reports from Argentina earlier this week claim Florentino Perez is “desperate” to bring in Marcelo Gallardo from River Plate to replace the 48-year-old. At a time when Zidane will desperately need to get to the training ground and put that disappointing midweek result behind him, he will now be unable to do so.

To date, the former attacking midfielder has won three UEFA Champions Leagues, two La Liga titles and the Copa del Rey twice as boss, but they have failed to show their quality consistently this season.

Standards at the Santiago Bernabeu (or Estadio Alfredo di Stefano for now) are high, and Zidane admitted after their Copa del Rey exit that he is feeling the pressure.