LaLiga giants Barcelona and Real Madrid are currently battling numerous positive COVID-19 cases among their players.
Barcelona have confirmed Ousmane Dembele, Samuel Umtiti and Gavi have tested positive for COVID-19.
The Catalan side were previously hit with positives for Clement Lenglet, Dani Alves, Jordi Alba and Alejandro Balde in the past week.
A statement on Barcelona’s website on Wednesday read: “The footballers Dembele, Umtiti and Gavi are positive for COVID-19 after PCR tests on the squad.
“The players are in good health and self-isolating at home. The club has reported the cases to the relevant authorities.”
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Umtiti has largely been out of favour at Camp Nou this season, playing just once across all competitions, while Dembele has only managed eight appearances (four starts) having spent a significant period out through injury.
Gavi is the club’s third-highest appearance maker in this campaign, though, with the 17-year-old midfielder playing 22 times, 17 of which have been starts. Only Sergio Busquets has featured more often.
Barcelona sits in seventh place in LaLiga, two points off fourth and 18 behind leaders Real Madrid, and travel to face Real Mallorca next on January 2.
Bitter LaLiga rivals also have a COVID-19 battle on its hand with four new positive cases announced on Wednesday.
Thibaut Courtois, Eduardo Camavinga, Federico Valverde and Vinicius Junior tested positive for COVID-19, Real Madrid confirmed in a short statement
LaLiga leaders Madrid have had to deal with several positive cases within their squad over recent weeks, and are likely to be without the four players for at least their two opening matches of 2022.
