Real Madrid's Zinedine Zidane could miss two games due to COVID-19

As ESPN's Adriana Garcia and Mario de la Riva of AS reported, Real Madrid manager Zinedine Zidane is currently isolating away from the Spanish giants after he came in direct contact with a person who tested positive for COVID-19. 

Zidane missed a Thursday practice session and is awaiting the results of a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) test and an antigen test. He previously tested negative in a rapid test but wasn't cleared to return to club activities because of his direct contact. 

Per La Liga rules, Zidane must continue to isolate away from the team for three days and then undergo another PCR test. That timeline may be reduced, however, depending on the nature of the contact and how long ago the interaction occurred. 

Even if Zidane posts a second negative test, Spanish officials could still ban him for one or two matches. Real face Osasuna in league play on Saturday and then take on Athletic Bilbao in a Spanish Supercopa semifinal contest on Jan. 14. 

Real enter the weekend second in the table of the Spanish top flight and on 36 points, just two points behind leaders Atletico Madrid.