Another bad news for Madridistas today. It seems like this nice period the team is having, with many great results and beautiful games could not live without troubles. Another headache for Zidane & Co: Sergio Ramos has tested positive for Covid-19 in the tests carried earlier today!
Real Madrid have confirmed the news in an official statement in their website and social medias which reads: "Real Madrid CF announces that our player Sergio Ramos has given a positive result in the last Covid-19 test that has been carried out."
The Blancos defender was however not due to be involved in Madrid's Champions League quarter-final second leg against Liverpool on Wednesday night as he continues to recover from a calf injury. Ramos has missed Madrid's last three games through calf injury, with his last appearance for the club coming in the second leg of their last-16 Champions League meeting with Atalanta on March 16, which is almost 1 month ago. The 35-year-old will now have to self-isolate for 10 days in accordance with Covid-19 quarantine protocols and won't be allowed to return to action until he posts a negative test after that period. So, even if he recovers from both Covid and calf injury he will still have to wait at least 10 days.
This means that in addition to miss the match against Liverpool, Ramos will also be unavailable for selection for the next two La Liga fixtures where Real Madrid will face Getafe and Cadiz away from home. The most probable scenario is that of returning in squad when Zidane's side will face Real Betis at home on April 24, of course, only if he has made a full recovery from Covid and his calf problem.
Ramos’ prolonged absence is another important problem for Real Madrid, especially when taking in consideration the difficult matches that the calendar will offer from now on; just like the other absences and maybe even more painful, since he is the leader of the team and the one who fuels the teammates psychologically in the crucial moments and not only.
Ramos had had a difficult season so far since he has endured many stop-start periods due to injuries and not only. This thing has prevented him from being always ready to fulfill the team’s needs and has limited his crucial contribution that he has always offered. He has been absent for 27 matches across all competitions and has played only 20 appearances for Madrid in total this term, scoring four goals and providing one assist, which are however great numbers considering he plays as a defender. That’s why he is very important and his place cannot be taken so easily by someone else. He could encourage his teammates from the stairs like he did in the last few games, but now, for at least 10 days, he won’t even be allowed to go that far...
We can only hope he will be available as soon as possible. There are already at least 5 extremely important absences and Real Madrid cannot withstand anymore. The upcoming matches are all crucial and Zidane will have to make some very careful calculations...
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