Juventus Duo Daniele Rugani & Blaise Matuidi Recover From Coronavirus

Juventus have confirmed that defender Daniele Rugani and midfielder Blaise Matuidi have recovered from the coronavirus. 

Rugani became one of the first high-profile footballers to contract the virus, after testing positive in early March. The following week, news broke that his teammate Matuidi had also contracted COVID-19, while Paulo Dybala later tested positive. 

The coronavirus has forced governments from around the world to announce a formal lockdown, as they look to combat the disease. Italy has been one of the worst affected countries in the world, though there have been signs of slight improvements in recent days. 

​Juventus have now provided a positive health update on both Rugani and Matuidi, confirming that both players have taken another test for the coronavirus, and both came back negative. As a result, they are no longer subjected to the home isolation regime. 

In a short statement on the ​club's official website, they announced: "Daniele Rugani and Blaise Matuidi underwent, as per protocol, a double check with diagnostic tests (swabs) for the Coronavirus. The tests came back with negative results. The players have, therefore, recovered and are no longer subjected to the home isolation regime."

As he began his recovery, ​Rugani explained that he felt 'lucky', but also added that he was missing those closest to him as he was staying away from them in a hotel. 

The Italian has struggled for minutes this season, making just seven appearances in all competitions before football was suspended indefinitely. Out of these seven appearances, only three of them came in Serie A, leading to suggestions that ​he is 'considering leaving' Juventus. 

As for Matuidi, he has been far more heavily involved than the defender, making 31 appearances in all competitions in 2019/20. The Frenchman's contract was due to expire at the end of the season, but the club ​opted to exercise a one-year extension clause written into his current deal.

During a time of great difficulty, this will come as a hugely positive update.