Even having been postponed by one year, Euro 2020 will have to live with the Covid-19 pandemic.
This Sunday, the Spanish selection issued a statement to inform the positive test of his defensive midfielder and captain Sergio Busquets to the virus.
A blow for La Roja, but whose outlines were difficult to define from the outset.
The Madrid daily
Marca
answered the questions that everyone is asking about this news which intrigues other nations, and which shakes Portugal, opponent of Spain and therefore Busquets last Friday in a preparation match (0-0) .
Is Busquets automatically fixed?
No.
In the event of injury or illness, a selection may keep the player concerned in the squad if they believe that the latter will be reinstated during the Euro.
She can also replace him with another player, but she must do so before her first match.
Afterwards, it's too late.
“Today it's crippling: from the moment a player is positive, it's over.
He leaves the competition.
There is no period of isolation which would allow the player to be found afterwards, ”confided Didier Deschamps two weeks ago.
The coach of the Blues was right, but only once the Euro has started.
The best of Sergio Busquets with FC Barcelona
What will Spain do with Busquets?
Holder and captain, Sergio Busquets is one of La Roja's most valuable players. He was placed in solitary confinement, along with the rest of the Spanish delegation. It is not yet known if he will be officially replaced before the start of the Euro, or if the selection will take the risk of keeping him in order to get him back along the way. He is already forfeited for the first game, against Sweden on June 14. If he tests negative before facing Poland on June 19, he will be able to play. But he will lack rhythm due to his 40s. Spain has only a few days to make up its mind.
Consequence of this positive test: all Busquets teammates are also placed in solitary confinement, while Spain must receive Lithuania in a friendly match this Tuesday in Leganés.
The match will take place at 8:45 p.m., but it is ... the Spanish Hopes who will be aligned!
They were eliminated in the semi-final of the Under-21 Euro last Thursday (by Portugal, 0-1) and are therefore ready for this match which promises to be somewhat unusual.
OFICIAL |
Lista de convocados para el encuentro ante Lituania
https://t.co/2IaopRj2c4#SomosEspañapic.twitter.com/StHVW5yxX4
- Selección Española de Fútbol (@SeFutbol) June 6, 2021
Is this the first case in view of the Euro?
No. The Dutch goalkeeper and usual holder, Jasper Cillessen, withdrew on June 1 after testing positive for Covid-19 a few days earlier. "I informed Jasper of my decision this morning," explained coach Frank de Boer. I am incredibly sad for him but I had to make a decision. ” The 32-year-old porter from Valencia could not digest this choice. "I have never felt so helpless, angry," he railed last Thursday in the columns of the
Telegraaf
.
Above all, he reiterated an important point: UEFA treats the goalkeeper position differently from outfielders.
In the event of injury or illness, a goalkeeper can be replaced at any time during the Euro.
AZ Alkmaar goalkeeper Marco Bizot was called in to replace Cillessen.
What about Portugal, Spain's last opponent?
Sergio Busquets started last Friday, during Spain's first preparatory match for the Euro.
He played 61 minutes against Portugal (0-0), who fears that the Barcelona has contaminated some of his opponents.
According to the newspaper
AS
, the Portuguese selection will also spend a few days in isolation.
His first match is scheduled for Tuesday, June 15 against Hungary (6 p.m.).
Nothing has yet been announced about his second and last preparation match, this Wednesday in Lisbon against Isräel (8:45 p.m.).
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