With the Euro 2020 final fast approaching, Italy would have liked to solely focus on their showdown with England, but an unexpected COVID-19 scare brought an unwanted disturbance to their preparations.
Roberto Mancini's high-flying side are set to lock horns with the Three Lions on Sunday in the title-deciding fixture, with the Azzurri keen on adding Harry Kane and Co. to a list of victims that includes Belgium and Spain. Unfortunately, a monkey wrench has been thrown into their plans as three members of the Italian media team within the national side's bubble tested positive for the coronavirus on Friday.
Of the three, one is a journalist while the remaining two are technicians, with the trio all working for RAI for their Euro 2020 coverage. Two tested positive while still in London after the semi-final triumph over Spain while the other infection was caught after the Italian national team returned home.
This reportedly sent the Azzurri into panic, as per the Sun, and understandably so, with the European Championship finalists' training camp in Coverciano being immediately shut and sanitized. While the three aforementioned people contracted the virus while in London for the semis, none of players or the coaching staff have tested positive for COVID-19.
While this is great to hear, several precautions are now being taken, with one source at the Italian FA telling the Sun: "It's not the ideal preparation for the team and we are making sure that none of them are infected but we are taking no chances and tests are being carried out.
"The chance of infection with any of the team is small but we want to be sure.
"It means that training sessions with the media in attendance have all been cancelled and we are having to make other arrangements."
Mancini and his players are said to have been vaccinated against the deadly pandemic, but this will not protect them from being ruled out should anyone contract the virus. England learned this the hard way, with Mason Mount and Ben Chilwell being forced into self-isolation after coming in close contact with Billy Gilmour, who tested positive after their 0-0 draw with Scotland.
