JUVENTUS’ Coppa Italia semi-final with AC Milan on Wednesday night has been postponed as the coronavirus hits hard on Italian fixtures.
Effects across Europe include Valencia possibly hosting Atalanta behind closed doors in their Champions League return on March 10, while Inter’s Europa League game at home to Getafe nine nights later is also at risk.
Juventus boss Maurizio Sarri faces growing fixture problems as the coronavirus sweeps across parts of ItalyCredit: Getty Images – Getty
Juve’s Italian Cup return leg, level at 1-1, was set to go ahead without Milan residents but now La Stampa say the fixture has been put off altogether.
It follows ten Serie A matches being postponed over the last two weekends, while the Swiss League has been totally cancelled for a fortnight.
Meanwhile, Inter’s Coppa Italia last-four second leg at Napoli on Thursday will also be restricted.
With Napoli defending a 1-0 lead, Inter will be without most of their support as supporters from Lombardy are banned.
And anxious eyes are being cast towards the next round of champions League fixtures.
Apart from the city of Milan, Atalanta is also suffering severely as it is part of the virus-hit Bergamo area of Northern Italy.
In all, the Lombardy region has had 600 of Italy’s 1,576 coronavirus cases.
And Atalanta fans were checked for symptoms before being allowed in at a Serie A game with Lecce.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
