Llorente ‘very excited’ to resume training before Lodi’s tests positive for coronavirus

Players from Atletico Madrid's first team on Wednesday arrived at club's training compound to be tested for COVID-19.

Professional footballers in Spain will be tested this week so y can start practising again for first time in nearly two months.

It follows a government easing of some of lockdown measures that had been in place since mid-March because of coronavirus pandemic.

Soccer players in Spain returned to ir team’s training camps Wednesday for first time since country entered a lockdown nearly two months ago because of coronavirus pandemic.

Players for Barcelona, Real Madrid, Atlético Madrid and or clubs started preparing for return to training this week. y were all expected to be tested for COVID-19 and should be cleared to practice once results are back. Most clubs are expected to resume practicing by end of week.

majority of players did t wear masks or gloves when y arrived, according to Spanish media. Lionel Messi, Gerard Piqué and Luis Suárez were among those seen without masks when y drove into Barcelona’s training center. Antoine Griezmann, Arturo Vidal and Ivan Rakitic did wear masks. Sergi Roberto arrived without a mask but had one on when he left.

Real Madrid players Gareth Bale, Luka Modric and Karim Benzema arrived without masks, as did most of ir teammates.

Both Barcelona and Real Madrid later released videos showing players with gloves and masks inside ir training centers.

Atlético Madrid had already posted some photos of its players arriving for tests wearing gloves and masks.

Atlético striker Álvaro Morata said it wasn’t same to be at training camp without being able to interact with his teammates, but it felt “special” just to be re at this point.

Atlético midfielder Marcos Llorente said club had been sending drills adapted to each player so y could keep training at home.

“I think we are very prepared to come back,” Llorente said. “It has been a very rare period for us. We had never been away from a ball for so long. We are excited about coming back.”

In general, players didn’t stay long at club facilities, usually less than 30 minutes.

Coaches also went to training camps and were tested. Barcelona coach Quique Setién was wearing gloves and a mask when he arrived, as was Atlético coach Diego Simeone.

Real Madrid showed ims of coach Zinedine Zidane, who was also wearing protective gear, talking to some of his players.

training centers of all clubs were disinfected over last couple of days. In addition to players, all members of coaching staff and or employees involved in training have to be tested for COVID-19 before practice sessions can resume.

league wants clubs to test all players daily after y start training.

Players will initially practice individually. Smaller group sessions and full squad sessions will be allowed in upcoming weeks. league sent clubs a protocol with safety guidelines on how to return to practice, detailing all measures that players and clubs must adopt.

league wants a training period of about a month before it can restart. It hopes to resume sometime in June with games without fans.

Spain this week began easing some of lockdown measures that were put in place in mid-March. Soccer players have been among few athletes allowed to return to training facilities.

However, players and coaches of Spanish club Eibar released a statement on Tuesday saying y were concerned about playing again amid pandemic.

Spanish soccer federation on Wednesday proposed an end to this season’s women’s league, a decision that is expected to be approved by end of week. Barcelona was leading competition at time it was suspended in March and will be declared champion.