Barcelona players are due to be tested for coronavirus today before Tuesday’s Champions League round of 16 first leg against Napoli in Naples.
Lionel Messi and co will be checked out for any signs of the potentially deadly disease after a breakout in northern Italy over the weekend forced Serie A chiefs to postpone several fixtures.
Italian president Guiseppe Conte called for four games to be scrapped after two lives were lost in the European country.
He said: ”Minister of Sport [Vincenzo] Spadafora intends to suspend all sporting events planned for Sunday in the Veneto and Lombardy regions.”
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ESPN have now reported that Quique Setien’s players will be checked for fever and that anyone showing signs of illness will be taken directly to hospital and will therefore be ruled out of the fixture.
Despite the ongoing health worries, Setien has stayed focused on the task at hand with his new side having failed to lift the coveted Champions League trophy since 2014/15.
"We can face the near future with guarantees, the team is prepared for what is coming,” the former Real Betis and Las Palmas boss said after the 5-0 win over Eibar on Saturday.
“The team and the players are interested in competing.
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"We are aware of what is happening but the players are isolated. We can't control the media noise that exists. We focus on football.
"I am delighted with the amount of balls recoveries after losing possession. I think the team did well, although there are things to improve. The team is ready for Napoli."
Napoli head-coach Gennaro Gattuso has overseen eight wins and five defeats from his 13 fixtures since taking over from Carlo Ancelotti in December including six wins from their last seven games.
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"Don't make me think, leave me alone," joked Gattuso when asked about their next fixture.
"We will think about Barcelona tomorrow, today only Brescia counted.
“It's a competition I'll lose sleep over, but on the other hand I almost never sleep now.
"They tell me that in time it will pass, but it doesn't pass."
- Barcelona FC
- Lionel Messi
- Napoli FC
- Champions League
- Coronavirus
- Serie A
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