Real Madrid confirmed the news of David Alaba and Isco testing positive for Covid-19, taking the overall tally of cases in their squad to 8 ahead of their La Liga match against Athletic Bilbao on Wednesday.

Players Luka Modric, Rodrygo, Marco Asensio, Gareth Bale, Marcelo, Andriy Lunin all tested positive for coronavirus last week while Isco contracted the virus on Monday and David Alaba was the latest case confirmed by the club on Tuesday.

Manager Carlo Ancelotti will also be without two more players against Bilbao — defender Dani Carvajal is injured, while midfielder Casemiro is suspended after five yellow-card bookings.

“It’s true that we are missing a lot of players and maybe we will have to consider a change in the system… I don’t know… I’m thinking about it,” Carlo Ancelotti told a press-conference on Tuesday.

“The system that we currently play with (4-3-3) has given us a lot in recent games. But we don’t have a right winger available, and that’s the only thing that could make me change it to a 4-4-2. I have to wait for the night.”

Real Madrid’s momentum – a 10-game winning streak in all competitions – ended with a disappointing 0-0 draw at home to lowly Cadiz on Sunday.

They are now six points clear of second-placed Sevilla, who have a game in hand and host struggling Barcelona on Tuesday.

On a brighter note for Real, Belgian midfielder Eden Hazard played well last Sunday in his first game as a starter since September.

“He has been training well for a month, with intensity and rhythm. If I put him on again on Wednesday, I don’t think there’s a risk of more physical problems. The player is fine.” (With Reuters inputs)