‘Gasperini put people at risk’
Valencia have criticised Atalanta coach Gian Piero Gasperini for taking charge of his side's Champions League match against the Spanish side in March despite suffering from symptoms of the novel coronavirus.
Gasperini told Italian newspaper La Gazzetta dello Sport on Sunday that he felt ill on the day before the last-16 second leg match in Valencia on March 10, which was played without spectators as northern Italy was then the epicentre of the virus in Europe.
He also confirmed he has since tested positive from an antibodies test.
Valencia later issued a statement saying they were surprised at Gasperini's admission he had symptoms with the coronavirus before the match and did not take preventative measures.
"Such actions, if this was the case, would have put at risk numerous people during the trip to - and stay in - Valencia," added the statement.
"It should be remembered tat this game was held behind closed doors amidst strict safety measures... precisely due to the presence of persons from an area already publicly classified as 'at risk'."
A week after the match, 35% of their squad and staff had tested positive.
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