Juventus & Inter On Lockdown: Defender Daniele Rugani Tests Positive For Coronavirus

With the COVID-19 crisis continuing to escalate in Italy, it was only ever going to be a matter of time before a Serie A player tested positive for the virus. On Wednesday, reigning champions Juventus issued a statement, which revealed that defender Daniele Rugani had contracted Coronavirus, an event which placed all who had contact with him in isolation.

“The footballer, Daniele Rugani has tested positive for Coronavirus-COVID-19 and is currently asymptomatic,” read the official announcement. “Juventus Football Club is currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him.”

On Sunday evening, the Bianconeri had played their match with Inter behind closed doors at the Allianz Stadium in Turin, and Rugani was a named substitute in that encounter. With only 72 hours between the fixture and the announcement in the press, Inter too took steps to cancel “all competitive activities until further notice.”

“You will have read the news and that’s why I want to reassure all those who are worried about me, I’m fine,” Rugani wrote on Instagram. “At this moment, however, I feel even more of a sense of duty to thank all the doctors and nurses who are struggling in hospitals to face this emergency.

“I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinctions! Let’s do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us.”

Pictures of the Juventus squad celebrating their 2-0 win over Inter on Sunday clearly show Rugani in the midst of the action, an image that will undoubtedly spark concern among those who have been in close contact with the player.

There is now huge doubt not only about whether it will be possible to complete the remainder of the Serie A campaign, but also regarding European competition in general. 

Both Inter and Roma are unable to complete their Europa League fixtures this week, as a report in Italian newspaper Il Messaggero reports that UEFA asked both clubs to withdraw from the competition in order to allow it to continue as normal, however this proposal was promptly rejected.

Atalanta were able to complete their Champions League fixture versus Valencia on Tuesday, but after four days away arrived back in Bergamo—one of the hardest hit areas in Italy—to a situation that had greatly worsened. 

“We are checked every day and at the moment I’m not infected myself,” midfielder Marten de Roon told NOS sport. “Everything is being done here to contain it. Actually, it’s also important for other countries to deal with the situation as seriously as here.”