Atletico Madrid have confirmed Angel Correa and Sime Vrsaljko both tested positive for COVID-19, with the remainder of their squad ruled clear of the virus in a second round of tests. Those who tested negative will travel to Lisbon for the Champions League "Final Eight" tournament on Tuesday.

The club earlier said in a statement that the two players are "self-isolating in their respective homes and were reported immediately to the Spanish and Portuguese health authorities, UEFA, the Royal Spanish Football Federation, the Portuguese Federation and the Superior Council of Sports."

"The corresponding action protocol foreseen for these cases has been activated, which requires new PCR tests to be carried out on the first team and members of the expedition to Lisbon and the closest contacts of the positive cases. These tests will result in changes to training schedules, and in the structure and development of travel and accommodation in the Portuguese capital," it added. 

The Champions League has already suffered huge disruption as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. It only returned last week after a five-month hiatus and its final stage has transformed into a condensed 12-day, single-elimination tournament in Lisbon.

To ensure the smooth development of the finale, there are comprehensive health guidelines in place, with teams subject to a strict testing regime and social distancing rules, and the number of people allowed inside grounds kept to a minimum. 

However, given the unpredictable nature of COVID-19, it is difficult to tell how the recovery of football will play out.  

Just hours after Atletico confirmed two new cases, 10 members of the Brazilian side Goias came down with the deadly virus, forcing a last-minute game postponement. 

Goias were about to host Sao Paulo behind closed doors in the first matchday of the Brazilian Serie A. And the last-minute suspension came when both sets of players were warming up on the pitch.

"The game has been delayed," announced Goias president Marcelo Almeida. "!0of our 23 players tested positive. Unfortunately, we only received the test results today. What we know is that it was going to be a very difficult, very unpleasant situation in public health terms. It was in no one's interest that this game take place." 

It was another telling blow to Brazil's football season, whose kick-off was already three months behind schedule due to the pandemic, which has killed more than 100,000 people and infected 3 million in the country. 

Though football is more than just a game, life is obviously more important at this time of great stress, as Sao Paulo put it via Twitter on Sunday: "Nothing is more important than staying healthy."