Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci tests positive for Covid-19

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci tests positive for Covid-19 after returning from international duty with Italy… leaving Andrea Pirlo short of defensive options Merih Demiral also ruled out of Turin derby with Torino

  • Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has tested positive for Covid-19
  • The centre back contracted the virus while on international duty with Italy
  • Four members of Roberto Mancini’s staff also tested positive for the virus
  • Centre back Merih Demiral also tested positive while away with Turkey
  • It leaves Andrea Pirlo short of defensive options for the Turin derby with Torino

Juvenuts defender Leonardo Bonucci has tested positive for Covid-19 after returning from international duty with Italy.

Bonucci played 90 minutes against Northern Ireland and Bulgaria in the World Cup qualifiers but was an unused subtitute for the match with Lithuania on Wednesday.

Italy confirmed four members of staff had tested positive and had gone into isolation before the final game.

Juventus defender Leonardo Bonucci has tested positive for Covid-19 after international duty

All of the squad and staff had returned negative tests on Monday but one of Roberto Mancini’s colleagues was sent home on Tuesday after developing a sore throat.

Three other members of staff then tested positive on Wednesday before Bonucci’s result on Thursday.

His absence will leave Juve boss Andrea Pirlo short of options at the back ahead of the Turin derby with Torino on Saturday.

The centre back played in Italy’s World Cup qualifiers with Northern Ireland and Bulgaria

Turkey international Merih Demiral also tested positive, leaving Andrea Pirlo short of options

Centre back Merih Demiral also contracted the virus while on international duty with Turkey.

Bonucci has made 29 appearances for Juve this season and captained the side in the absence of Giorgio Chiellini.

The defender will also miss the clash with Napoli on April 7 but could return to face Genoa next weekend.

Juve are ten points behind Serie A leaders Inter Milan with 11 games of the season remaining.




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