​Juventus star Paulo Dybala has announced that he and his partner have tested positive for the coronavirus, but he insists that they are in ‘perfect condition’ despite the illness.

There has been plenty of confusion surrounding the 26-year-old’s wellbeing of late, after rumours swirled that he had been infected by the deadly virus last week. But the forward denied these claims, stating he was ‘fine and in voluntary isolation.’

However, Dybala released a statement via ​Twitter on Saturday evening, admitting that he and his partner Oriana have both contracted the coronavirus, but he assured his followers that they are both well.

“Hi everyone, I just wanted just to inform you that we have received the results for the Covid-19 test and both Oriana and I have tested positive,” the message read. “Luckily we are in perfect conditions. Thanks for your messages.”

​Dybala is not the first Juve player to be struck down by the coronavirus however, after a 2-0 victory over Inter on 8th March sparked chaos in Turin. News broke that Daniele Rugani had tested positive for the virus soon after their clash with I Nerazzurri, and Frenchman Blaise Matuidi was the next to be infected.

Subsequently, the players were ordered to remain in quarantine for 14 days, and told not to leave the house or make contact with anyone else.

But some of their stars have had difficulty obeying these rules, with South American duo ​Gonzalo Higuain and Douglas Costa both leaving Italy for the safety of their home countries – although in the former’s case, he has returned home to see his s

Italy has suffered terribly due to the fast-spreading coronavirus, and officials took the decision to stop all football after I Bianconeri beat Antonio Conte’s ​Inter earlier this month. The entire nation has been put into an enforced lockdown since then, in an attempt to reduce the number of new cases.

But the quantity of fatalities and newly-infected citizens shows no signs of slowing down, meaning the football calendar has been thrown into serious question. ​Juve were involved in a tense three-way title race with Lazio and I Nerazzurri, but the restart date for the campaign remains a mystery.

Borussia ​Dortmund fans have been left in limbo with a current lack of football. The last time they saw their club play was in a crushing defeat to Paris Saint-Germain, which spelled an end to any hopes of winning this season’s Champions League.

However, their league form currently sees them in second place as football takes a break due to the ongoing global effects of the coronavirus, which at least gives fans and players something to keep their focus on when football returns to action – if football ever returns to action…

A break in the season could actually benefit Dortmund at this point. It gives time for players and coaches to assess and fix the damage caused by the Champions League exit, and allows them to return the Bundesliga with one objective: Win the league title.

With that being said, here’s how things are looking around Borussia Dortmund currently, and how we think things will pan out for them, should this season’s campaign be completed.

As it Stands

Currently, Dortmund sit second in the Bundesliga, four points off leaders and reigning champions Bayern Munich.

Before the Champions League exit, Dortmund ran out eventual 2-1 winners away at Borussia Monchengladbach; an important three points that kept Gladbach resigned to fourth place.

The win against the other Borussia took Dortmund to four league wins on the bounce. And while the whole squad is to thank for recent form, season-long standout Jadon Sancho and January signing Erling Braut Haaland have been key to Dortmund’s recent league consistency, which has seen them score plenty of goals.

Only Bayern Munich (73) have scored more league goals than Dortmund so far this season (68), which isn’t too bad a statistic when you consider that Bayern have Robert Lewandowski to rely on, who has netted 25 of those on his own.

With nine games to play, Dortmund have their most important run of fixtures all season. A final clash against Bayern Munich and a visit to RB Leipzig will ultimately decide the order of the top three in the Bundesliga this season. If head coach Lucien Favre can come away from those two games with a win, then they may well be in good stead to win their first Bundesliga since 2012 – providing they actually play these remaining fixtures, of course.

Injury Status & Potential Returns

Currently, Favre’s Dortmund are in a good spot with their squad. The only unavailable players are Marco Reus, who suffered a muscle injury against Werder Bremen in February, and Thomas Delaney.

The Dortmund club captain, now 30, has had his entire career blighted by injuries, with many fearing that it could have been a case of ‘what could’ve been’. However, the forward is set to be fit by April, meaning he will be more than ready to return by the time the league resumes play.

Midfielder Delaney has been out since suffering an ankle injury on international duty in November last year. It is unclear when he is expected to make a return, but the suspension of play could work in his favour.

Remaining Fixtures & Season Projection

At the time of the suspension of play due to the coronavirus outbreak, all Bundesliga sides apart from Frankfurt and Werder Bremen have played 25 games, leaving nine to play.

While Dortmund no longer have Champions League football to consider, their remaining nine fixtures aren’t the easiest. Matches against Bayern Munich and RB Leipzig will make or break their season, but before that they face games against Schalke and Wolfsburg, two sides who have been ones to watch in previous Bundesliga seasons.

Here’s what’s left of Dortmund’s season, and a prediction of how they’ll do in each fixture.

Total Points Projection: 70

Predicted Finish: 2nd

A run of favourable fixtures against lower-table opposition will help Dortmund amid some tough clashes in the final stage of the Bundesliga season, but ultimately it won’t be enough to push them to winning the league title.

Dortmund’s return to action sees them straight into the Revierderby against Schalke, where they have failed to win since 2018. The last meeting was a draw, and before that a victory for Schalke. Despite Dortmund’s form and increased fire power, they will struggle to get back to business in winning ways.

Die Schwarzgelben do however have a good track record against Wolfsburg, which will be enough to guide them to victory. A tough contest with first place Bayern Munich will see points shared, which could cost Dortmund the Bundesliga.

Then comes the run of favourable fixtures; Favre’s side will ease to consecutive victories, before hitting another season defining game against third-placed RB Leipzig. Two evenly matched sides, both capable of playing excellent football, who know how high the stakes are. Ultimately, points will be shared once again, and Dortmund will slump to a draw against Hoffenheim in their final fixture.

Unbeaten in nine, but lacking conviction, Dortmund will ultimately surrender the Bundesliga to a Bayern Munich side who are so used to winning that it has become routine, despite a shaky season of their own.

Player Contract Status

Lucien Favre currently has to worry about four contracts that are set to expire this summer; Lukasz Piszczek, Mario Gotze, Achraf Hakimi and Eric Oelschlagel.

While time is no longer on the side of 34-year-old right-back Piszczek, his experience and leadership qualities at the back are invaluable. Dortmund could yet sign him on for another year, but he would be a welcome addition at a whole host of clubs.

Achraf Hakimi has been on loan at BVB from Real Madrid for two seasons now, and the 21-year-old has enjoyed a successful stint in Germany.​ He has become a solid member of the Dortmund side, but could perhaps stick around for a third season if he wants continued, regular game time.

Keeper Oelschlagel has failed to make an impact at Dortmund, with Roman Burki occupying the number one spot, and looks likely to move on. The most interesting, and perhaps sad, situation is that of Mario Gotze.

Gotze returned to Dortmund in 2016 after failing to make an impact at Bayern Munich, but has since failed to make an impact on a regular basis. The tricky midfielder and World Cup winner, now 27, has managed just 13 Bundesliga appearances this season, and it looks like his time in black and yellow could be up.

Whoever can snatch Gotze ahead of next season will get themselves a bargain, providing they can keep him fit and playing regularly.

Summer Transfer Plans

Dortmund’s summer transfer window could quite simply make or break them as a club at the top level for the next few years.

With English winger Jadon Sancho only improving with every game, it feels like his transfer away from the club is merely a formality at this point, with interest in the 19-year-old being rampant. The only thing Dortmund can do, is ensure they get the correct fee for the teenage dream and reinvest elsewhere.

Erling Braut Haaland only signed for Dortmund in January, but has once again hit the ground running with his attacking prowess. Like an early 2000s Brock Lesnar, Haaland has stormed onto the scene at the elite level and caught the attention of everyone with consistently electric performances in front of goal. But instead of taking people to ‘Suplex City’, he puts his focus on devastating opponents with goals scored.

His performances will only warrant elite level clubs to register interest in the Norwegian teen, and with his agent being the infamous Mino Raiola, the power is almost definitely out of Dortmund’s hands.

Long-Term Targets

For Borussia Dortmund, their number one goal has to be winning the Bundesliga.

It’s been painfully long eight years for their fans, some of the best in world football might I add, and in that time Bayern Munich have swept up Bundesliga titles for fun.

For the first time since that 2013 squad, it feels like Dortmund are finally building an empire of their own again. If they can hold onto key players and perhaps add a few more, then now is the time to dethrone the beasts of Bavaria.​