'Real Crisis'... Real Madrid Coach Zidane Tests Positive for COVID-19

Real Madrid players and coach Zinedine Zidane are celebrating after winning the 37th round match of the 2019-2020 professional football Primera Liga (La Liga) against Villarreal at the Alfredo Di Stefano Stadium in Madrid, Spain, on July 16 last year (local time). Real Madrid achieved their 34th La Liga title. [Image source=Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Choi Eun-young] Zinedine Zidane, the French coach of the prestigious Spanish professional football club Real Madrid (La Liga), has tested positive for the novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Amid a series of setbacks, football fans are reacting with concerns about a 'Real crisis.'

On the 22nd (local time), Real Madrid announced on the club's official website that Coach Zidane had tested positive for COVID-19.

Previously, on the 7th, Zidane had come into contact with a COVID-19 positive individual and underwent both PCR and antibody tests, which returned negative results. However, this time, the test came back positive, and Zidane has entered self-isolation, making him unable to sit on the bench for the time being.

Real Madrid, already in a turbulent atmosphere due to poor performance including a shocking 1-2 defeat against Alcoyano, a third-division team playing with 10 men in the Copa del Rey round of 32, now faces another crisis with the absence of their head coach.

Moreover, it is reported that Zidane directly led the players' training sessions before testing positive, raising concerns about additional infections within the squad.

The club has not disclosed any information regarding Zidane's health condition.

Upon hearing this news, Korean netizens responded with comments such as "Adding insult to injury. It's unfortunate," "Real Madrid has been struggling all season. It's an emergency," and "Sergio Ramos's contract is said to end this season, so it's worrisome."

Meanwhile, Real Madrid was eliminated from the final after losing 1-2 to Athletic Bilbao in the Supercopa (Super Cup) semifinal on the 15th. In this season's league, they currently stand in 2nd place with 11 wins, 4 draws, and 3 losses (37 points), trailing Atl?tico Madrid (14 wins, 2 draws, 1 loss, 44 points), who have played one more match.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.