Midfielder Adrien Rabiot has tested positive for COVID-19 and will thus miss Juventus’ upcoming Serie A clash with Roma on October 17.
Rabiot started France’s UEFA Nations League semi-final victory over Belgium on Thursday night and was in line to start Sunday’s final. The divisive Frenchman has emerged as a favourite of Didier Deschamps’, but the Bleus boss will have to select an alternative for the final against Spain.
France’s statement
Adrien Rabiot ne pourra pas participer à la finale de la Ligue des Nations, dimanche à 20h45, contre l’Espagne. https://t.co/YD6SRvrWoa
— Equipe de France ⭐⭐ (@equipedefrance) October 9, 2021
Rabiot’s positive test was confirmed by the French Football Federation on Saturday morning.
A statement read: “Adrien Rabiot will not be able to participate in the final of the League of Nations, Sunday at 8:45 p.m., against Spain.
“The Juventus midfielder has tested positive for Covid-19. As a result and as soon as the results were known, Adrien Rabiot was placed in solitary confinement. He will not rally Milan with his teammates.
“Adrien Rabiot cannot be replaced for regulatory reasons. Didier Deschamps can therefore rely on a group of 21 players for the final against Spain.”
Quarantine period
While the 26-year-old has failed to convince since his move to Turin, he’s nonetheless proved a popular option for the returning Massimiliano Allegri, who’s made the most of his versatility and started him in seven of Juve’s nine opening games of the season.
As opposed to deploying him in the midfield pivot, Allegri’s utilised Rabiot in a hybrid function on the left flank that sees his position alternate depending on the game phase. However, success in the role is very much dependent on a persistent source of width provided from left-back.
Nevertheless, Allegri won’t have his utility man available for next week’s domestic fixture with Jose Mourinho’s Giallorossi. Sky Sport Italia (via @ForzaJuventus) confirmed that Rabiot will remain in quarantine for the next ten days and won’t be available for selection against Roma.
However, Juventus are hopeful of having Paulo Dybala fit for next Sunday’s match after the Argentine recovered from his minor thigh strain. Allegri could also rely upon the services of Arthur Melo, who made the bench in the Derby della Mole victory and earned minutes in Saturday’s friendly triumph over Alessandria.