Madrid, Real Madrid will likely be withoutcoachCarlo Ancelotti for the first leg of the UEFA Champions League quarterfinals against Chelsea because of COVID-19.

Ancelotti tested positive for the coronavirus last week and did not travel to London with the rest of the squad today.

There was a possibility he could still make it for Wednesday’s match if he tests negative in time to travel.

Ancelotti had already missed the team’s 2-1 win over Celta Vigo in the Spanish league on Saturday, when assistant coach Davide Ancelotti, his son, was among those in charge.

Ancelotti, who had minor symptoms of COVID-19, is trying to win his second Champions League with Madrid after helping the club lift the European trophy in 2014.

Karim Benzema and Ferland Mendy, who returned to action on Saturday after nursing injuries, practiced normally ahead of the trip to England.

Madrid was eliminated by eventual champion Chelsea in the UEFA Champions League semifinals last season.

Ancelotti coached Chelsea for two years before his first stint with Madrid in 2013. The Spanish club was coached by Zinedine Zidane in last year’s semifinals.

Madrid hasn’t won in its last five trips to face English clubs, with three losses.

Madrid or Chelsea will play either Manchester City of Atlético Madrid in the semifinals.

Source: Oman News Agency