Pedro Chirivella plays through Covid in Nantes defeat | OneFootball

Jocelyn Gourvennec has revealed that FC Nantes captain Pedro Chirivella (26) contracted Coronavirus ahead of Les Canaris’ defeat against Clermont Foot. The Spaniard started the match but was withdrawn at half-time.

Chirivella has played through illness and injury before for Nantes, notably at the end of last season, where he rushed his return and played through the pain in order to secure Nantes’ Ligue 1 status. He did the same against Clermont on Sunday, although on this occasion, he did not make the same positive game-changing impact.

Chirivella started, but with Gourvennec’s side 1-0 down at half-time, the Spaniard surprisingly didn’t make a return after the break. Speaking in a post-match press conference, the manager revealed the reason for Chirivella’s withdrawal. “He was ill. He had Covid. He thought he could start, but as we went through the first half, he wasn’t good, so we decided to take him off,” said Gourvennec.

Despite a Florent Mollet equaliser early in the second half, Jim Allevinah netted a late winner for Clermont, giving Pascal Gastien’s side a crucial victory that sees them leapfrog Lorient and into 17th position. Nantes are now 13th and just two points ahead of Olympique Lyonnais, who currently occupy the relegation play-off spot.

GFFN | Luke Entwistle