Serie A

Juventus legend Alessandro Del Piero has given his take on Paulo Dybala's best position in the team. 

The Italian, who wore the No. 10 shirt in Turin and made 706 appearances for the Bianconeri, believes the Argentinian is best-suited to a similar role to the one he played once upon a time.

He told Sky Sport Italia (h/t Goal's Chris Burton):

"I think playing just off the centre-forward is the best position for Dybala, because he can assist, dribble and score goals.

"He has to be near to the goal, but I don't quite see him as a centre-forward, even if he can open up spaces for team-mates. I believe he's perfect uniting the midfield with the attack."

The 26-year-old signed for Juve from Palermo in 2015. His considerable potential has long been clear, although he perhaps hasn't kicked on quite as some might have hoped at Juventus.

He contributed 26 goals and seven assists in all competitions in the 2017-18 campaign, but last season he struggled to replicate that form following the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo. In total, he returned just 10 goals and two assists last season.

His form has picked up again significantly under Maurizio Sarri this term, however.

The forward has made 34 appearances, starting 23 of them and often sharing his place up front with Gonzalo Higuain.

He has scored 13 goals, most recently a superb finish after he came off the bench to help Juve record a 2-0 win over Inter Milan in the Derby d'Italia on March 8:

It was a fine performance from Dybala, despite him only coming on for the final third of the contest:

He also has 12 assists to his name, meaning that one third of all the assists he has provided at Juve have come this season.

Dybala showcased his playmaking qualities in the Bianconeri's 1-0 UEFA Champions League defeat to Lyon on February 26:

As his numbers this season demonstrate, he's well-suited to a supporting role as it allows him to get on the scoresheet himself and create goals for others.

Higuain is 32, while Cristiano Ronaldo turned 35 in February, so it's unlikely either has a particularly long-term future at the club beyond this season.

Dybala should be at or approaching the peak of his powers, though, so he's the one the club should be looking to build the team around in the coming years.

Damiano Tommasi, the president of the Italian Footballers' Association (AIC), has cast doubt on the possibility of Serie A restarting in April. 

Sporting activity in Italy, including Serie A, has been suspended until at least April 3 following the outbreak of COVID-19.

Tommasi told Che Tempo Che Fa (h/t Goal's Sacha Pisani):

"It's clearly impossible to start playing at the beginning of April.

"If all goes well, we can resume in May or June. When we talk about football, people think we are only ensuring the safety of players, but there's a whole world behind the team.

"The first to be contaminated were in Serie C with Pianese, and their kit man is still in intensive care. Juventus have 100 people under quarantine."

More than 169,000 people have been infected by the coronavirus worldwide, resulting in over 6,500 deaths.

Only China, where the virus was first discovered, has been hit harder than Italy.

Italy accounts for 24,747 of the confirmed cases and 1,809 deaths. On Sunday, the number of cases there jumped by 3,590 in 24 hours and the death toll rose by 368.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani and Sampdoria striker Manolo Gabbiadini have been infected:

Sampdoria also confirmed on Friday that Gabbiadini's team-mates Omar Colley, Albin Ekdal, Antonino La Gumina and Morten Thorsby, as well as club doctor Amedeo Baldari, had also tested positive.

Gabriele Gravina, president of the Italian Football Federation (FIGC), has suggested that finishing the domestic season should take precedent over holding UEFA Euro 2020 this summer:

All of Europe's top five leagues are on a similar hiatus in their respective countries.

In Serie A, the teams contested Matchday 26 over two weekends, largely behind closed doors, prior to the suspension of sporting activity, although eight sides have only played 25 of their 38 matches.

Juventus are one point clear of Lazio atop the standings, while at the bottom Genoa are above the relegation zone on goal difference. Sampdoria are a point clear of the drop with a game in hand.

Cristiano Ronaldo holds a refined reputation for treating his body like a temple, but Wayne Rooney recalled the forward using McDonald's Big Macs for weight gain while at Manchester United.

The two United legends spent five years as team-mates at Old Trafford; Rooney arrived at the club in 2004, one year after Ronaldo, who joined Real Madrid for what was at the time a world-record £80 million in 2009.

Ronaldo, 35, boasts one of the most famous physiques in sports, but Rooney told The Times' Jonathan Northcroft (h/t MailOnline's Kieran Lynch) there was a time when he used a less stringent approach:

"With Cristiano, when I first got to United we used to go to games and train together. I remember the night before a game stopping off at McDonald's because he wanted a Big Mac. 

"He was trying to put weight on because he was so thin. I was driving the car, having to go through the drive-through to get him a Big Mac."

Rooney and Ronaldo were each part of the United team that won a UEFA Champions League and Premier League double under Sir Alex Ferguson in 2008.

Both players feature as some of the youngest to have scored 40 Premier League goals for United, per Sky Sports Statto:

Rooney has four sons and was in awe as to how his former team-mate—who also has four children—managed to maintain the regime he's come to adopt: "With four kids I don't know how he fits that in. You've got Ronaldo, who looks a million dollars, whereas I've never had the best body, but I can play 90 minutes, I can train every day. I have no worries physically. When I do, I'll stop."

Ronaldo's dedicated approach to maintaining his body and well-being is part of the reason he's scored at least 25 goals in each of his two seasons since joining Juventus in July 2018.

The Portugal captain has scored 53 goals in 75 appearances for the Bianconeri, and Rooney told CNN at the time of his move from Real Madrid that he would be a success at Juve:

Ronaldo's current diet methods are even influencing the next generation of superstars, such as Borussia Dortmund ace Erling Haaland, per Goal:

Rooney, 34, joined Derby County in January 2020 and could keep a playing role at Pride Park until the summer of 2022, when Ronaldo's current contract with Juventus is also scheduled to expire.

It's comforting to know a Big Mac on rare occasions is permitted for even a five-time Ballon d'Or winner, though it's fair to assume his weight-gain practices have since been updated.

In an interview with Marca's Pablo Polo and Sergio Fernandez in July 2019, Ronaldo indicated he's happy to play until the age of 40 provided his body allows for it.

Fiorentina have confirmed first-team players Patrick Cutrone and German Pezzella have tested positive for COVID-19, along with club physiotherapist Stefano Dainelli.

The Serie A side released the following statement on their Twitter account, noting the trio are in good health:

The news comes after their Viola team-mate Dusan Vlahovic tested positive for coronavirus on Friday.

Per Football Italia, five Sampdoria players—Omar Colley, Albin Ekdal, Antonino La Gumina, Manolo Gabbiadini and Morten Thorsby—have tested positive for the virus, along with Juventus defender Daniele Rugani.

Cutrone is on loan at Fiorentina from Wolverhampton Wanderers. The striker moved to the Premier League side last summer but struggled to make an impact, prompting a move back to Italy. 

Per Sky Sports, La Viola have an option to make the loan move permanent for a fee in the region of £16 million. The 22-year-old has yet to find the back of the net in seven top-flight appearances for Fiorentina since his transfer.

Pezzella has been one of Fiorentina's better players in a difficult campaign, providing a strong presence at centre-back in the 23 Serie A appearances he has made in 2019-20.

Italy has been hit more severely with infection than any other country in Europe. It was confirmed earlier this week that all sport would be suspended until April 3 as part of a country-wide lockdown.

Per CNN, there are now more than 142,000 global cases of the coronavirus confirmed, with in excess of 5,300 people killed.  

Sampdoria announced Friday four additional players and their club doctor have tested positive for COVID-19.

The Italian club initiated tests after forward Manolo Gabbiadini tested positive for the coronavirus on Thursday. 

Omar Colley, Albin Ekdal, Antonino La Gumina and Morten Thorsby, as well as club doctor Amedeo Baldari, were confirmed as infected by COVID-19.

La Samp confirmed the players and Baldari are recovering at home in Genoa.

The remaining players from the Serie A team, as well as additional staff and club directors, have been placed in self-isolation. Sampdoria's training ground and offices have been closed, with Italy in lockdown because of the virus.

The Italian top-flight has been suspended until April 3 after a governmental decision on health grounds. Sampdoria are currently placed 16th, only one point above the relegation zone.

England's Premier League has also been halted due to the coronavirus after an emergency meeting on Friday, joining La Liga, the Dutch Eredivisie, Liga NOS and the MLS in suspending their competitions.

Juventus forward Cristiano Ronaldo has discussed the coronavirus pandemic on social media and expressed his support for team-mate Daniel Rugani while undergoing a period of isolation:

The Italian champions have confirmed that all employees are "observing a period of voluntary home isolation" after Rugani tested positive for COVID-19.

Ronaldo is in quarantine in Madeira after flying back to Portugal to visit his mother, who had been in hospital after suffering a stroke, per Eurosport.

Rugani's positive test came just three days after Juventus' 2-0 Serie A win over Inter Milan, which was played behind closed doors because of the spread of the virus in Italy.

The defender was pictured celebrating with the squad after the game:

The centre-back took to Twitter after his diagnosis to offer reassurance to supporters (h/t BBC Sport).

"You've read the news, so I want to reassure everyone who's worried about me, I'm fine. I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinction! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us."

Miguel Albuquerque, the president of Madeira's regional government, has said there is "no possibility" of Ronaldo having been infected with the coronavirus, per Alvise Cagnazzo at MailOnline.

Meanwhile, Juventus have denied speculation that Paolo Dybala has tested positive, according to ANSA (h/t Football Italia). Dybala also wrote on Twitter (h/t Football Italia) that he is "fine" and in "voluntary isolation."

Italy has been severely affected by the coronavirus, which has seen Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte introduce emergency measures throughout the country.

All sporting activity in Italy, including Serie A and B, has been called off until at least April 3.

UEFA have also confirmed Juventus' UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg against Lyon has been postponed. A meeting is due to take place on Tuesday to discuss domestic and European competitions.

Juventus defender Daniele Rugani has said he's "fine" after testing positive for the coronavirus, encouraging the public to "respect the rules" in staving off the respiratory illness.

The Bianconeri released a statement on Wednesday via their official website confirming Rugani had been diagnosed with COVID-19, though it specified the player was "currently asymptomatic."

Rugani, 25, wrote on Twitter (h/t Omnisport, via Yahoo): "You will have read the news and that's why I want to reassure all those who are worrying about me, I'm fine. I urge everyone to respect the rules, because this virus makes no distinctions! Let's do it for ourselves, for our loved ones and for those around us #thankyou."

CNN reported United States President Donald Trump has imposed a 30-day travel ban, beginning Friday, from 26 European countries—including Italy, the worst-affected area on the continent so far.

Italy's Civil Protection Agency said the total number of recorded cases in the country had increased to 12,462 as of Wednesday evening. The increase of 2,313 cases was "the biggest recorded jump since the outbreak began," though that didn't include full data from Lombardy, described as "the worst-hit region" by CNN.

Rugani has made seven appearances in all competitions this season but has been an unused substitute on 28 occasions, including Sunday's 2-0 win over rivals Inter Milan in a behind-closed-doors match:

The prime minister of Italy, Giuseppe Conte, confirmed on Monday that Serie A, along with all other sporting competitions, would be suspended until at least April 3, per Football Italia.

All shops in Italy except pharmacies and food stores have closed in an effort to limit the spread of the illness.

Fixtures in the UEFA Champions League and UEFA Europa League have also been played behind closed doors or postponed already.

AS Roma announced that their Europa League round-of-16 first leg away to Sevilla would not take place as planned on Thursday after their plane was refused permission to land in Spain:

Rory Smith of the New York Times expressed doubt as to whether this season's European tournaments would conclude:

The World Health Organisation has said more than 800 people in Italy have died as a result of COVID-19 as of Wednesday.

The WHO (h/t BBC News) also classified the coronavirus outbreak as a pandemic on Wednesday.

Juventus announced Wednesday that centre-back Daniele Rugani tested positive for the coronavirus, though he is currently showing no symptoms.  

Per that press release, Juventus is "currently activating all the isolation procedures required by law, including those who have had contact with him."

Rugani, 25, has appeared in just seven games for Juventus this season after making 20 appearances a year ago. He hasn't registered any goals or assists in the 2019-20 campaign. 

The coronavirus pandemic has impacted European football, and sports around the globe, in a major way. Serie A has been playing its matches in empty arenas, with supporters banned from the stadiums because of the severity of the coronavirus outbreak in Italy. 

In England, Arsenal and Manchester City postponed their scheduled game for Wednesday as a precautionary measure after several Gunners came into contact with Olympiacos owner Evangelos Marinakis, who was diagnosed with the illness. 

Danish club Brondby quarantined 13 players and staff members after Denmark international Thomas Kahlenberg was diagnosed with COVID-19. 

Timo Hubers of Hannover 96, a club in the second division of German football, also tested positive for the illness. 

The coronavirus was classified as a global pandemic on Wednesday and has infected over 115,800 people worldwide, leading to over 4,200 deaths. 

Serie A is reportedly considering playoffs, potentially not awarding the title and using the current table to decide how to end the 2019-20 season after it was suspended due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Italian government suspended all sporting events across the country Monday until April 3 and placed the entire country under lockdown, per BBC Sport.

Lega Pro President Francesco Ghirelli has given an update on how Italian football is planning to continue after attending the FIGC summit Tuesday, per Football Italia:

"We are evaluating the idea that every league will decide autonomously what to do next. The idea is to finish the season by playing all the games, but we have to consider the alternative options too. Among these options are not assigning the Scudetto, assigning it using the current table or organising play-offs."

Serie A has been severely disrupted by the coronavirus. A host of games have already been called off, while there was chaos during the most recent round of fixtures.

Parma's Serie A match against SPAL kicked off 75 minutes late after the Italian minister of sport, Vincenzo Spadafora, called for the competition to be halted, as shown by sports writer Adriano Del Monte:

Sunday's matches were subsequently held behind closed doors, including the biggest game of the 2019-20 season so far between Juventus and Inter Milan at the Allianz Arena:

The two Coppa Italia semi-finals between AC Milan and Juventus and Napoli and Inter Milan have also been called off with no decision taken on when they might rescheduled.

UEFA Champions League games have also been affected. A raft of last-16 second legs will be played behind closed doors including Barcelona's game against Napoli and Atalanta's trip to Valencia.

La Liga and the Bundesliga have also taken the decision to play some games without supporters:

Serie A must now decide how to complete the season, although Ghirelli also said they are not considering expanding the league to 22 teams and promoting two clubs from Serie B, per Football Italia.

Yet it looks almost impossible to complete the remaining fixtures by the end date of May 24. Extending the season is also problematic as the UEFA 2020 European Championship is due to start on June 12.

Juventus are currently top of the table by a point from Lazio after 26 games. Bresica, SPAL and Lecce make up the bottom three.

The Italian government has officially suspended all sporting events across the country, including Serie A football matches, as the country's lockdown was extended nationwide on Monday. 

Per the Guardian, all public events have been banned due to the COVID-19 virus, which has affected the country significantly.

Schools and universities had already been closed until at least April 3.

It's unclear at this stage what will happen to the international fixtures scheduled to take place in the coming weeks. Defending Serie A champions Juventus are scheduled to host Lyon in the UEFA Champions League on March 17.

The Bianconeri faced rivals Inter Milan in an empty stadium on Sunday in what was the biggest match of the Serie A season until this point:

Plenty of other contests have also taken place behind closed doors. 

Other sports had already been hit harder than football prior to Monday's complete lockdown. Several of the biggest one-day cycling races in Europe, including Milan-San Remo and the Strade Bianche, have been postponed or cancelled:

Per the Guardian's latest figures, the coronavirus has infected 9,172 people across Italy so far, leading to 463 deaths.