Blaise Matuidi becomes second Juventus player to test positive for coronavirus after team-mate Daniele Rugani

JUVENTUS midfielder Blaise Matuidi has tested positive for coronavirus, the club have confirmed.

It follows the diagnosis of Bianconeri team-mate Daniele Rugani earlier in the month with Italy becoming one of the worst-hit places by the pandemic.

A statement on Tuesday confirmed that French star Matuidi, 32, is well having been tested after Rugani contracted the illness.

It read: "Blaise Matuidi has undergone medical tests that have come back positive for coronavirus.

"The player, as of Wednesday March 11, has been in voluntary home isolation. He will continue to be monitored and will follow the same regime.

"He is well and is asymptomatic."

The number of coronavirus cases in Italy tipped 31,500 on Tuesday with 2,503 dead - a rise of 16 per cent in the past 24 hours.

Serie A was the first European league to start postponing games before joining the swell of sporting events being placed on hold to prevent the virus from spreading.

Juventus had tested their players once Rugani's positive result came back, with Cristiano Ronaldo retreating to his hometown of Funchal on the Portuguese island of Madeira.

Meanwhile centre-back Rugani, 25, has insisted he is in good health despite contracting the illness.

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He stated earlier this week: "I'm fine, I've been pretty good.

"I haven't had the symptoms you read about in the news.

"I was lucky despite it being a good hit, because I was the first in our squad to get it. I hope it will serve to raise awareness."