Champions League: A look at the matches affected by the coronavirus
![MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Josip Ilicic of Atalanta (R) plays against Daniel Parejo of Valencia CF (L) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Atalanta and Valencia CF at San Siro Stadium on February 19, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images) MILAN, ITALY - FEBRUARY 19: Josip Ilicic of Atalanta (R) plays against Daniel Parejo of Valencia CF (L) during the UEFA Champions League round of 16 first leg match between Atalanta and Valencia CF at San Siro Stadium on February 19, 2020 in Milan, Italy. (Photo by Marcio Machado/Eurasia Sport Images/Getty Images)](https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_fill,w_720,ar_16:9,f_auto,q_auto,g_auto/shape/cover/sport/0abfee1e11107dacb64b5af4079a06a41227a0c2a028402be84157ea2e532bde.jpg)
The Champions League resumes Tuesday despite a coronavirus outbreak across Europe. Here’s how the virus is impacting the tournament going forward.
While novel coronavirus has led to the suspension of the Serie A season in Italy until April 3, the Champions League rolls on — but not without some noticeable changes.
The Round of 16 second leg that resumes Tuesday will feature two games that will be played behind closed doors with no fans, while ones scheduled for next week could suffer the same fate should the outbreak persist.
The restrictions will include Valencia’s home match against Atalanta of Italy with the Spanish city hosting the game with no fans.
The Paris Saint-Germain game in Paris on Wednesday against Borussia Dortmund of Germany will also have a stadium ban on fans. French officials recently decided to ban the public from attending events that have 1,000 or more fans after people became infected there.
Atalanta currently holds a 4-1 lead, while Dortmund won the first leg 2-1.
The move is meant to limit the public’s exposure to novel coronavirus, while also dissuading fans from making a trip by plane or rail. As a result, Italian officials on Monday extended emergency coronavirus measures, which include travel restrictions and a ban on public gatherings, to the entire country.
The round’s other two games slated for this week — RB Leipzig hosting Tottenham and Atletico Madrid at Liverpool — will also go ahead as planned and feature fans. The outbreak has been limited in both Germany and England for now.
The outbreak, which originated in China late last year, has spread throughout the world. Italy has been one of the country’s hardest hit by the virus, affecting thousands and killing 463 people.
The restrictions, however, do not extend to teams training in private or in European competition. Juventus’ home match against French side Lyon next week will be played behind closed doors.
The Europa League will also go on as planned later this week. Like the Champions League, the competition will see some restrictions.
Two Italian teams, Inter Milan and Roma, have also impacted that tournament, which will be played Thursday. Sevilla host Roma, while Inter are at home against Getafe. Both games, officials decided Monday, will be played behind closed doors.
This comes after Spanish officials recommended last week placing restrictions on games involving Italian clubs.
dark. Next. Italy halts Serie A season, and all sports, due to coronavirus
For more information about COVID-19, visit the CDC’s website or the website for your state’s Department of Health.