Stefano Pioli’s AC Milan will get into the Monday fixture against Cagliari without regulars – Theo Hernandez and Hakan Calhanoglu – after both returned positive tests for COVID-19, the club announced on Sunday. The Serie A leaders are likely to see the two sit out of the Italian Cup quarter-final against Inter on January 26, AFP reports.

Even with the season coming to halfway point, a three-point lead over arch rivals Inter Milan and the honorary title of ‘winter champion’ up for grabs, Pioli will be a worried face as AC Milan start at the Sardenga Arena. Defeating Cagliari is not be the only challenge troubling the Rossoneri as crucial games against Atalanta and Inter Milan follow.

French defender Theo Hernandez and Turkish midfielder Hakan Calhanoglu have joined the list featuring Croatian striker Ante Rebic and Bosnian midfielder Rade Krunic, who have not featured since their positive tests were announced on January 6. Pioli are already missing Ismael Bennacer, Alexis Saelemaekers and Matteo Gabbia, who are all injured, while striker Rafael Leao is suspended.

Hernandez and Calhanoglu, both regulars in Stefano Pioli’s team, ‘tested positive in a molecular test’ carried out on Saturday on the entire squad and were “immediately placed in quarantine at home”, the club said.