Moroccan defender Achraf Hakimi has tested positive for COVID-19, just two weeks before he was set to face Real Madrid, his former club.
The Inter Milan right full-back tested positive on Wednesday in the hours before the Nerazzurri’s Champions League opener against Borussia Monchengladbach.
“FC Internazionale Milan confirm that Achraf Hakimi tested positive for coronavirus after the last UEFA tests carried out before tonight’s game against Borussia Monchengladbach,” a statement released by the Nerazzurri read. “The player is totally asymptomatic and will follow the rules provided by the health protocol.”
Champions League: Achraf Hakimi to miss Inter Milan’s opening game after testing positive for COVID-19 – Sports News , Firstpost https://t.co/IJaIKuaf0l
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Achraf has been one of the best performers for the Italian club this term, although they have made a stuttering start to their domestic campaign, losing 2-1 to AC Milan in the first Derby della Madonnina on Saturday afternoon.
Antonio Conte, though, can take some comfort in the fact this positive test has come in a position where he has a lot of depth with Ashley Young, Aleksandar Kolarov, Matteo Darmian and Danilo D’Ambrosio.
However, Young is also absent as one of five players that have tested positive for COVID-19 within Inter’s ranks, alongside Milan Skriniar, Roberto Gagliardini and Ionut Radu.
Radja Nainggolan and Alessandro Bastoni have both recovered from injury and will play in Wednesday evening’s clash.
Achraf, on the other hand, has 13 days to recover in order to face Los Blancos on November 3, a time frame which just falls within that given for people who test positive for COVID-19 to quarantine.
In this early part of the campaign, Achraf has played in four Serie A matches and has contributed three goals, with one strike of his own and two assists. This is simply a continuation of the form he displayed at Borussia Dortmund, where he spent two seasons on loan, as his final campaign in Germany saw him finish the campaign with 45 games played in all competitions, nine goals scored and 10 assists provided.
