MATCHDAY: Bayern’s CL title defense strained by virus

A look at what’s happening in European soccer on Tuesday:

ATLÉTICO MADRID-CHELSEA

Atlético Madrid plays its home game against Chelsea in Bucharest, Romania, because of travel restrictions preventing visitors from Britain entering Spain. Atlético has been struggling defensively, having conceded at least a goal in its last seven matches in what is its worst run without a clean sheet since coach Diego Simeone arrived in 2011. With one win in its last four games, Atlético saw its Spanish league lead to Real Madrid cut to three points, though it still has a game in hand. Chelsea is yet to lose in its seven matches since coach Thomas Tuchel replaced Frank Lampard. The teams played in the group stage of the Champions League in the 2017-18 season, with Chelsea winning 2-1 in Spain before a 1-1 draw in London. Atlético eliminated Chelsea in the semifinals in 2014.

LAZIO-BAYERN MUNICH

Bayern Munich’s title defense is being tested by coronavirus infections and other, injury-induced, absences. Four players recently tested positive for COVID-19 — Thomas Müller, Benjamin Pavard, Leon Goretzka and Javi Martínez — though the latter two are already back with the squad. Serge Gnabry, Tanguy Nianzou, Douglas Costa and Corentin Tolisso are out with injuries and defender Niklas Süle was excused from training on Monday as a precaution. Bayern is finding a punishing schedule is having an adverse effect on the team, which has dropped five points in two Bundesliga games since its return from the Club World Cup in Qatar. Bayern has never gone three consecutive games without a win under coach Hansi Flick.

ENGLAND

On a seven-game winless run in the Premier League, Southampton is looking to avoid getting sucked into a relegation battle as it prepares to play away to Leeds. Southampton has dropped to 13th and is only eight points clear of Fulham, which is in third-to-last place but staging a stirring recovery in the second half of the season. A 1-1 draw with Chelsea ended Southampton’s run of six straight losses that included a 9-0 loss at Manchester United. Leeds is one place and two points above Southampton.

Source: RSS/AP