Atletico Madrid struck by Covid outbreak as Champions League tie with Chelsea edges closer

Blues will travel to the Spanish capital in two weeks for a last-16 knockout tie

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone (AFP via Getty Images)

Atletico Madrid coach Diego Simeone has played down a coronavirus outbreak at the La Liga club as their Champions League last-16 tie with Chelsea approaches.

League leaders Atletico played out a 2-2 draw with Celta Vigo in the Spanish top flight on Monday and did so with six players absent due to positive coronavirus tests.

"These are very difficult times for the world and for society and, while we try to look after ourselves, contagion is not just in Atletico – it's in society," Simeone told reporters after his team's eight-game winning run was halted. "I don't just look at what is happening at Atletico, I look at what is happening in society, because Atletico is part of society."

READ MORE: All Champions League fixtures by date and kick-off time

Atleti have had 15 players test positive for the virus since the pandemic wreaked havoc on global sport last March, and Simeone missed part of the pre-season campaign after being infected.

Midfielders Thomas Lemar and Hector Herrera tested positive on the morning of the match against Celta Vigo, leading to the team being forced to cancel their pre-match warm up at the training ground and hold their usual meeting to prepare the game on a video call. Record signing Joao Felix and latest arrival Moussa Dembele were among those missing after testing positive for the virus last week, adding to the absences of Mario Hermoso and Yannick Carrasco, who were infected at the end of January.

Atletico are due to host Chelsea on 23 February in the first leg of the teams' Champions League last-16 tie.

The reverse fixture at Stamford Bridge is scheduled for 17 March.

"You'll have to ask the players whether it affected them or not, but we prepared the [Celta Vigo] game with a lot of enthusiasm and excitement," Simeone said. "We couldn't have our team meeting so we prepared the game via a Zoom call and met up for the game less than two hours before, but I saw a lot of positive things on the pitch.

"We had a great reaction in the second half after not being able to dominate play in the first and the players showed real determination to compete."

Reuters