<p>Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for Covid-19, the Spanish club announced Friday.</p>.<p>The positive test comes a day before Madrid travel to Alaves in La Liga seeking to bounce back from an embarrassing midweek Copa del Rey exit.</p>.<p>"Real Madrid C.F. report that our coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for Covid-19," the club said in a statement.</p>.<p>Zidane already had to self-isolate this month after coming into contact with a person infected with the virus.</p>.<p>He tested negative at the time and was able to oversee the team.</p>.<p>After successive defeats in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, the second a shock loss to third-tier Alcoyano, Zidane is again under pressure as Real Madrid try to reignite their La Liga title challenge away to Alaves.</p>.<p>Zidane's side are playing catch-up to Atletico Madrid after draws against struggling Elche and Osasuna, two of the league's bottom three, in recent weeks.</p>.<p>Alaves beat Madrid 2-1 in the capital in late November but have won just once in eight matches since, their slide into a relegation scrap costing coach Pablo Machin his job last week with former Spain international Abelardo Fernandez returning to take charge.</p>.<p>Real assistant coach David Bettoni said that Zidane was "fine" after his positive test, although "sad" not to be among the players.</p>.<p>"I spoke with the coach this morning and he is fine," said Bettoni.</p>.<p>"He was a little sad this morning not to be with us. He will not physically be with us, but we all know that he will be with us supporting.</p>.<p>"He will not be with us physically during tomorrow's game, but he will be with us to support the players, give his energy and help everyone."</p>.<p>Bettoni also played down talk of Zidane's future after their Copa del Rey embarrassment.</p>.<p>"You know the boss, he likes football, it's his passion. He is fortunate to coach this great club. In football it is a complicated time, but he is in good spirits," said Bettoni.</p>.<p>"I see him every morning with a smile, with joy, wanting to train. We want to carry on, we are fortunate to train at this club, so we enjoy them every day with our players."</p>
<p>Real Madrid coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for Covid-19, the Spanish club announced Friday.</p>.<p>The positive test comes a day before Madrid travel to Alaves in La Liga seeking to bounce back from an embarrassing midweek Copa del Rey exit.</p>.<p>"Real Madrid C.F. report that our coach Zinedine Zidane has tested positive for Covid-19," the club said in a statement.</p>.<p>Zidane already had to self-isolate this month after coming into contact with a person infected with the virus.</p>.<p>He tested negative at the time and was able to oversee the team.</p>.<p>After successive defeats in the Spanish Super Cup and Copa del Rey, the second a shock loss to third-tier Alcoyano, Zidane is again under pressure as Real Madrid try to reignite their La Liga title challenge away to Alaves.</p>.<p>Zidane's side are playing catch-up to Atletico Madrid after draws against struggling Elche and Osasuna, two of the league's bottom three, in recent weeks.</p>.<p>Alaves beat Madrid 2-1 in the capital in late November but have won just once in eight matches since, their slide into a relegation scrap costing coach Pablo Machin his job last week with former Spain international Abelardo Fernandez returning to take charge.</p>.<p>Real assistant coach David Bettoni said that Zidane was "fine" after his positive test, although "sad" not to be among the players.</p>.<p>"I spoke with the coach this morning and he is fine," said Bettoni.</p>.<p>"He was a little sad this morning not to be with us. He will not physically be with us, but we all know that he will be with us supporting.</p>.<p>"He will not be with us physically during tomorrow's game, but he will be with us to support the players, give his energy and help everyone."</p>.<p>Bettoni also played down talk of Zidane's future after their Copa del Rey embarrassment.</p>.<p>"You know the boss, he likes football, it's his passion. He is fortunate to coach this great club. In football it is a complicated time, but he is in good spirits," said Bettoni.</p>.<p>"I see him every morning with a smile, with joy, wanting to train. We want to carry on, we are fortunate to train at this club, so we enjoy them every day with our players."</p>