Italian virologist Fabrizio Pregliasco discussed the COVID-19 pandemic, the current situation and the effects on football in an interview with Italian radio broadcaster Radio 24 earlier today.

First, he spoke about why so many players are now testing positive for the contagion.

“After an important athletic effort, for a couple of hours, the immune system is lowered. The biggest risk is to be together in the locker room. I feel worse about this than the professionalism, which obviously has serious economic consequences.”

The virologist highlighted that measures must be taken in order to avoid the situation getting any worse, like it is in other parts of Europe at the moment.

“We know that today’s 5,000 positive cases are different from those of March, but the fear is that it will lead to a situation similar to that of England and Belgium for example. Restrictive measures taken to avoid putting hospitals and intensive care in difficulties.”

Finally, Pregliasco confirmed that next weekend’s derby between Inter and AC Milan will be a risk for the players.

“Playing it next week is a risk. Even an excellent protocol does not lead to no risk and perhaps it should be updated since in winter, we are more aware of what asymptomatic people can do.”

Inter have currently lost six players to positive COVID-19 cases, with the most recent being former Manchester United full back Ashley Young, whose positive case was confirmed earlier today.

He has now joined the list of Nerazzurri players with the contagion, which is Radja Nainggolan, Milan Skriniar, Alessandro Bastoni, Ionut Radu and Roberto Gagliardini.

The Nerazzurri would need to register four more positive cases before they’d be allow to ask for a postponement for the derby.